Parks warns of Hernandez threat

Scotland fly-half Dan Parks is wary of Argentinian opposite number Juan Martin Hernandez ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final in Paris.

Hernandez built his reputation as an electric full-back with Stade Francais but Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has given him the chance to play his preferred role at fly-half by moving Felipe Contepomi into the centres.

And it has paid off. Hernandez has been a key figure in Argentina’s impressive march into the quarter-finals with victories over France and Ireland.

Hernandez landed three drop-goals in the Pumas’ 30-15 victory over Ireland last weekend and Parks said: “Their stand-off has been playing well.

“He’s not had much chance to play at 10 with his club and he wanted to get in there so all credit to him for doing so.

“You watch the way he strikes the ball, especially on the drop-kick, and it’s very smooth. The game is about position and territory and once they’re in position, they stay there until they score.”

Loffreda will join Leicester after the World Cup and Hernandez has been strongly linked with a switch from Stade to Welford Road.

At stake for Scotland this weekend is a first appearance in the World Cup semi-finals since 1991, when they were beaten by England.

Parks warned his side will need to put together their best performance of the World Cup if they are to end a run of five straight defeats to Argentina.

The last of those was at Murrayfield in 2005, when Scotland were beaten 23-19 following a controversial late penalty try.

Parks said: “That was an interesting game. I think we were always in control but in the end we lost and that’s the type of team they are – they never say die.

“They were very tough to play against and we are all well and truly aware of that.

“We haven’t really shown too much at this stage. I think there have been stages where we have played enterprising play, but at the weekend against Italy we didn’t get much of a chance with the weather.

“As players we would like to have played a bit more rugby. With the Portugal game we showed glimpses of good play. Romania was similar, wet greasy conditions but in the end we slugged it out and scored six tries.

“And then New Zealand. I can’t remember having the ball too many times in a good attacking position, it was all defensive in that second half.”

Argentina, in contrast, have produced two huge performances to reach the last eight – but will be wary of the need for strict discipline.

Scotland’s first-choice kicker Chris Paterson and Parks are yet to miss a shot at goal all tournament.

Kicking coach Duncan Hodge said: “They have both kicked brilliantly so far.”