France coach Jacques Brunel believes fullback Benjamin Fall didn't deserve his red card during the side's 26-13 defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington.
The French played the majority of the game with 14 men after Beauden Barrett plunged to the ground head-first after contesting a high ball against Fall.
- Opinion: All Blacks vs France second test player ratings
- All Blacks coach Steve Hansen sees red after controversial card
Barrett didn't return after failing a concussion test, and although it was accidental, Australian referee Angus Gardner consulted with the TMO before leaving the French fuming with his decision to show Fall a red card.
Even the All Blacks argued it was accidental and Fall should have been allowed to play on, but under rugby's rigid rules it had to be a red card.
The 29-year-old could face further sanctions when his actions are assessed by a World Rugby judicial committee on Sunday night.
Speaking to media after the match, Brunel said he would have to watch the playback, but he was positive his player should have been given a yellow card.
"I'm not going to talk about the sanction because we need to see the video and see what exactly happened," Brunel said.
"In any case he was late, and when you're late, it's your fault.
"He was somehow put off balance, and in that case, a yellow is warranted, a red we don't know. We were prepared to play with 14, and we managed the situation pretty well."
Despite playing the majority of the game a man short, it was a much-improved performance by France as they managed to finish within 13 points of an All Blacks side that destroyed them 52-11 in Auckland last weekend.
That left Brunel to ponder what might have been if he had all 15 players for the full 80 minutes.
"The team showed a lot of character and fought right to the end," Brunel added.
"The circumstances were very complicated. Last week the margins seemed a little bit too big, but today it was very close or at least closer. There were opportunities that didn't always eventuate.
"It is clear that we didn't only defend and that was something we wanted to do - we wanted to push the All Blacks.
"We managed to show some character throughout the challenge. We responded well, especially on attack."
France captain Mathieu Bastareaud is confident his players can end the series on a positive note in Dunedin next weekend.
I am very proud, but there is one match to go," Bastareaud said.
"We know what we can do. We are French, and sometimes there is this euphoria, but we need to remember this was a defeat.
"On Monday, we have to get back into training with a willingness to win the game in Dunedin."
Newshub.
