Parra out to prove a point to Pumas
France’s dynamic scrumhalf Morgan Parra is determined to set aside memories of probably his worst performance for the national side in June’s 13-41 humbling at the hands of Argentina when he starts against the same opponents in Montpellier on Saturday.
The 22-year-old – capped 20 times – said that he was keen to show his proper form which saw him stand out for France as they claimed their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2004 and his club Clermont win their first title, putting to rest their chokers’ tag after 10 previous finals appearances.
“It is not a feeling of revenge with regard to the Argentinians,” said Parra, who replaces veteran Dimitri Yachvili after the Biarritz scrum-half contributed 19 of his side’s points in the 34-12 victory over Fiji last Saturday in their opening autumn test.
“But I want to sweep aside memories of my performance that day. To reproduce the form that I showed during the Six Nations.
“I think that is the feeling everyone else has too. I think that we all went to Argentina with the feeling that the season was already over, that we were French champions.
“Maybe there was an element of fatigue as well. I was completely overwhelmed in that match.”
Parra, who is like Yachvili a superb place-kicker and towards the end of last season replaced Clermont’s Australian flyhalf Brock James in those duties, said that in the professional era the length of seasons seemed to get longer and longer.
“We are learning [that they are getting seemingly endless],” said Parra, who was top scorer in last season’s Six Nations.
“I realised when we went to Argentina the season was not over, that we had to remain totally focussed.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to do that. After the French title victory, I said to myself that was mission achieved for the season, that it was over.
“I was totally wrong. I was not perhaps the only one but I accept my responsibility.”
Parra, who made his name at Bourgoin before joining Clermont for the 2009/10 campaign, said there were a myriad of reasons why the Argentinians had such an impressive record against the French having won seven of their last nine meetings including two matches at the 2007 World Cup.
“There are a lot of their players who play in our championship, who know us well, who are extra motivated when they play against the French team,” said Parra.
“We saw that last season: they played badly (at home) in two matches against Scotland but then after that against us they produced their best match of the season.
“It is imperative that we put a stop to that.”
AFP
