Toulon (AFP)
Sergio Parisse, who has just joined RC Toulon from the Stade Français, has expressed his wish to end his international career "in front of Italian supporters" after the episode of the canceled World Cup match against New Zealand.
"I couldn't stop like that," said the 36-year-old third line in 142 caps with the Azzurri - including 92 as captain - who did not rule out a one-year extension with Toulon.
Q: You were to retire internationally after the World Cup, are you still thinking about this canceled match?
A: "I moved on to something else. When we see that a typhoon has passed and that there have been deaths, we tell ourselves that it is a simple rugby match and that there are things more However, when we talk about our sport, we associate values with it. Talking about it is simple, showing them is something else. One of them is respect. World Rugby did not come to warn us. I know there was very little chance of winning but it is sport and a game is won. If the Blacks needed to play to qualify, they would have found Everyone knows it is not a plot against Italy, it just has to be said. It is a little bit special, because it was my last World Cup and I finished with a match canceled."
Q: You signed for one year with Toulon, is this your last year in club but also in selection?
A: "At the beginning of January I will communicate on the Six Nations Tournament and on my future as a club. But the two are not necessarily linked. I could not stop like this. This year at the Six Nations Tournament there are two matches in Italy. I would like to finish in front of the Italian supporters for my last match with Italy. "
Q: Do you have in mind the national team selection and captaincy records held by Richie McCaw with the All Blacks?
A: "A lot of players and people talk about it. Forcing my presence, to say that I am more capped than Richie McCaw, it does not make sense. I will not play until 39 years old to accumulate The Italian team needs to rebuild new leaderships. Today, the group must be built around slightly younger players. "
Q: After 14 years at the Stade Français, why did you come to Toulon?
A: "I had other proposals but three days after my departure from Paris, I signed with Toulon. I made my decision after a telephone exchange with Patrice (Collazo). I found him honest, sincere and direct, with a very simple and clear message. Also behind a very interesting project even if at 36 years old, I may not be able to see the end of this project. He was interested in having someone in the team with my experience. And then Toulon is a prestigious club with a history. For me it counted a lot. "
Q: How to judge the first four months of the RCT?
A: "For the moment, we have always been in the top six. In the game, we still have to improve. We are in a simple system and if we get out of it, we are in danger. Our greatest danger it's ourselves. There have been a lot of new players and we also need to get to know each other. With the victories, we start to work in a positive dynamic. We have a lot of leeway in touch. a very powerful melee and a good defense. We manage to score tries. There are a lot of positive things. But the strong point of this team is the state of mind. The whole group sacrifices each other for others".
© 2019 AFP