New Zealand v France, Rugby World Cup Final, October 23
Parra embraces siege mentality
ESPNscrum Staff
October 20, 2011

Morgan Parra has admitted that he has been stung by the level of criticism levelled at surprise World Cup finalists France.

Pundits have been lining to label Les Bleus, who lost two games in the pool stages and stumbled past 14-man Wales in the semis, as the worst side ever to progress to the tournament decider.

Parra feels such talk is unfair, given the relatively impressive nature of their win over England in the last eight, but insists that he and his team-mates are now going to ignore the naysayers and instead concentrate on upsetting the All Blacks in Auckland on Sunday.

"We thought after England that we would have a bit more support but following the match against Wales it was still us against the world," the Clermont Auvergne ace is quoted as saying by reuters.

"We are used to that and we're going to be ready for this match. Above all, we're going to win the match."

Parra, who is a scrum-half by trade, will again wear No.10 for France this weekend. Much has been made about his conversion into a fly-half over the course of the tournament and Parra admits that he never thought that he would be playing at No.10 in the biggest game in world rugby. However, he feels that he is warming to his new role.

"Certainly, the more I've played the more comfortable I feel playing in that position and I think that will show itself on the pitch this weekend," he said.

"[But] As long as I am playing it and I'm enjoying it, I don't care where I play. It is a childhood dream of mine [to play in a World Cup final] and I am trying to make the most of it.

"I am going to try to enjoy it the best I can, be that on the pitch or off the pitch. But for the dream to come true we have to win this weekend."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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