International: Skrela takes “100 per cent”
blame for Aussie defeat
24 November 2008
David Skrela has admitted he was “100 per
cent responsible” for France’s 18-13 defeat to Australia
after missing five penalties and a drop-goal in Paris.
The Toulouse fly-half, who was also
yellow-carded late on for a high tackle on Digby Ioane,
endured a torrid evening in the French capital and was
jeered by large sections of the crowd.
“It is one of the worst evenings of my career
in a blue shirt, along with the opening match of the World
Cup last year,” he admitted afterwards.
“A kicker can also win a game for his team
but that wasn’t the case against Australia. These are hard
moments for me. I am frustrated and disappointed for the
team. I am 100 per cent responsible for this defeat,” he
lamented.
“When you are a kicker you have these bad
evenings, but it’s still a hell of a blow to the morale. I
am horrified. I must return to training and I must bounce
back.”
Skrela knew he was in for
a tough night when he missed his opening penalty and then
horribly miscued an attempted drop goal from in front of the
posts. The crowd became more impatient as his evening
progressed, with whistles and jeers greeting further
failures as his confidence visibly eroded.
“When you see your first then the second
attempt pass by the post, you start to ask yourself
questions,” he said. “You then try to modify your striking
but then you just collapse.”
The French No 10 did have the option of
handing on the kicking duties to Damien Traille but said he
soldiered on because it was his duty. “I assume my role
until the end,” he added.
Meanwhile, head coach Marc Lièvremont
admitted he was frustrated Les Bleus had failed to score a
try against both Australia and Argentina.
“I believe we were too impatient and rushed
things when it came to the decisive phase of play. The
decision-making in terms of the final pass was lacking.
“You
have three to four try scoring opportunities usually against
the Australians, not 10 to 18, and we didn’t take them,” he
said.
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