Parra: All Blacks not unbeatable
Scrumhalf Morgan Parra and flyhalf Remi Tales will form a new and interesting halfback pairing for France in Saturday's Test against New Zealand.
The pairing will be the ninth different combination tried out by coach Philippe Saint-Andre since the 2012 Six Nations tournament, as he bids to achieve his first win at the helm against the world champions.
Clermont's Parra was rested during France's June tour of New Zealand but the 24-year-old, who has 51 caps, returns after having a ban for violent play reduced from four to two weeks and he is confident they can combine to help beat the All Blacks this time.
"They remain the best, because collectively they are very good, individually and technically they are very good but they're not unbeatable," said Parra.
"It all comes down to details, it's going to come down to little things, a pass, a moment of inattention defensively. And we have to jump on the occasion.
"If we're not at our maximum it's going to be difficult. Today the All Blacks have four months of playing together behind them, they know each other inside out. It's complicated, but we're going to try to achieve the feat."
An injury cut short Parra's participation in the 2011 World Cup Final, which France lost to the All Blacks, but he insists the frustration is in the past.
"That's the nature of the game, it happened to me, it could have happened to someone else. It's in the past."
Tales, meanwhile, was preferred over Toulouse's Jean-Marc Doussain, who drops on to the bench after playing in the 24-9 loss to the world champions in their third Test meeting in New Plymouth last June.
"It was Morgan's experience and his kicking ability which made the difference," explained Saint-Andre.
"Jean-Marc works so hard, he was our kicker in New Zealand, but he is only Toulouse's second or third choice kicker," said Saint-Andre, whose side lost all three Tests on their June tour of New Zealand.
Tales, who has two caps, made his international debut this summer after winning the French title with Castres. The 29-year-old played a few minutes in France's crushing 30-0 defeat in Christchurch.
Otherwise there were few surprises with Saint-Andre opting for continuity with Biarritz flanker Wenceslas Lauret and Castres prop Yannick Forestier both returning after missing the June tour.
The 46-year-old Saint-Andre's record since he took over the job at the beginning of 2012 is a modest seven wins, two draws and nine defeats.
The All Blacks – who only beat the French 8-7 in the 2011 World Cup final – go into the game with a record in their last 30 tests of 28 victories, one defeat and one draw.
But Saint-Andre sounded a defiant note by saying that his side would not go down without a fight.
"We have no intention of being just sparring partners on Saturday," he said.
"We are determined to show that we can play with them at their level, even defeat them. It is vital that our players believe in themselves, play with passion, with intelligence but above all else without holding back.
"The stats are all in favour of New Zealand, but we must show that we have the willpower to take them on and win this match."
After tackling the All Blacks at the Stade de France, France next face Tonga in Le Havre on November 16 and South Africa back at the Stade de France on November 23.
AFP
