Parsons reaches milestone for Blues
With Damian McKenzie out, who’s your next 10 off the rank to back up Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga for the All Blacks?
Marc Hinton: This is problematic for the simple reason there’s not a logical next cab off the rank. If push came to shove the smart money would be on Otere Black, simply because he looks the most capable of taking the step up. Josh Ioane is too raw and makes too many basic errors to be considered at this stage of his career. Brett Cameron is only third-string at the Crusaders and looks a long way off the mark and the rest – Mitch Hunt, Fletcher Smith, Marty McKenzie, Marty Banks etc – are simply not test calibre.
Paul Cully: It’s a concern, isn’t it? The All Blacks are one injury away from having to go to an uncapped player, unless they bend their rules for Lima Sopoaga. Otere Black is probably the safe option but the player who most suits their template is Josh Ioane. There will be increased scrutiny on that pair when the Highlanders play the Blues tonight so let’s see who best copes with the pressure.
Liam Hyslop: Brett Cameron, only because it seems like the All Blacks selectors are fans of his given his inclusion on the end-ofyear tour. But you could really insert any of the youngsters kicking it around Super Rugby. They’ve all got their good points and their flaws, but none have really stood out. Fingers crossed the top two don’t go down in a heap.
Aaron Goile: Otere Black. There’s an ironic twist here, as the young playmaker had suffered the same ACL knee injury as McKenzie in 2017 with Manawatu¯ , which ruled him out of his first season with the Blues last year. Since then, he’s has shown enough decent touches to be the clear next option and I would give him a bit of game time in the leadup tests before the World Cup. However, I’d also be comfortable with taking just two first-fives to the tournament, and selecting an extra midfielder or outside back.
Now Steve Hansen has lost his perfect 10/15 cover, who’s the player he could least afford to lose to injury between now and RWC?
Hinton: Logically it’s Barrett or Mo’unga, because then the All Blacks would be in a pickle for the reasons stated above. Beyond that I would say it’s a toss up between Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane. They are the anchors of the back three, one the organiser and cool head in behind, the other the chief strike weapon out wide. Elsewhere, there’s still solid cover should any more misfortune strike.
Cully: Damian McKenzie is more than 10/15 cover, he is central to the way they had wanted to play the game, which is with two playmakers on the field at any one time. With that in mind, an injury to either Beauden Barrett or Richie Mo’unga would be harmful. I know the popular vote would be Brodie Retallick but Scott Barrett has been on fire and big Patrick Tuipulotu has stepped up too.
Hyslop: Ben Smith. There’s a lot of uncertainty around Jordie Barrett’s form this year, especially given he’s barely played at fullback. Hansen won’t want to lose another one of his handy dandy utility players, not to mention his immense leadership qualities.
Goile: Beauden Barrett. If he goes down then there’s a nation starting to fret. Yes, there’s still the classy and controlling Richie Mo’unga, but it heaps all the pressure on to his shoulders – a man who, remember, has only played nine tests, and started only against Argentina and Japan. With Barrett’s adroitness at fullback it also stuffs that option of moving him back three-quarters through the game.
At Super Rugby’s halfway point, who’s your player of the year so far?
Hinton: I’d normally say it has to be someone from the Crusaders because they’re so dominant. So damn good. But, of course, their strength is their collective might. Everyone does their bit. Ardie Savea has been inspirational for the Canes and you have to love Anton Lienert-Brown’s consistency for the Chiefs, but I’m going to say Rieko Ioane. He is the driving force of this quasi-Blues turnaround, and if they’re to kick on and do something in the playoffs, they will need the ball in his hands as often as possible.
Cully: Ardie Savea has won two games for the Hurricanes – against the Waratahs and Highlanders – almost by himself. That puts him at the top of my list. There are other worthy candidates but in terms of sheer influence Savea is the man.
Hyslop: The Hurricanes get most of my focus, but even with the blinkers on slightly, it’s hard to go past Ardie Savea. He’s carried the Canes to a few wins already this season.
Goile: Anton Lienert-Brown. It’s a hot race for midfield World Cup spots and while the 24-year-old could even be floating around No 6 on some people’s lists, he has a case to also be at the head of the queue too, on form. His 33 tests of experience has come to the fore and he’s been massive for the Chiefs consistently through this first half of the campaign. While they were struggling early he was still providing good touches and runs. Against the Jaguares a few weeks ago his late, gutsy charge-down proved match-winning, then up against Ma’a Nonu last week he was excellent, including showing a nice wide kick in his armoury. Second in competition offloading stats (18) too.
Who’s your find of the season so far?
Hinton: I like the cut of Braydon Ennor at the Crusaders. He’s a keeper, for sure. But you can’t go past Big Red, Tom Robinson from the Blues, for a player making giant strides in his first taste at this level. His physicality and workrate are off the charts for someone so raw, and he mixes all that hard yakka with some genuine touches of class to indicate that he has the potential to be very good at what he does. He’s playing so well that Leon MacDonald just can’t leave him out and a big part of why the Blues forwards have turned a corner with their game.
Cully: Ma’a Nonu, if someone who is already an All Blacks legend
What do you make of Israel Folau’s decision to lawyer up and challenge his contract termination?
Hinton: That he is determined to make as much trouble for Australian rugby as he can before he eventually departs as an enigma wrapped in a riddle. And that’s a shame. No doubt there’s a legal minefield here with collective bargaining agreements and contracts to wade through, and maybe even his legal team can make a case for wrongful termination. But let’s face it, this guy knew exactly what he was doing when he pushed ‘‘share’’ with his latest post, and his reluctance to reap the consequences is disappointing.
Cully: Predictable, although there is a solid argument that his position is untenable. You have to put this situation in an Australian context. The collective bargaining agreement between their players’ union and Rugby Australia is strongly protective of the players when it comes to terminating contracts: hence Rugby Australia’s statement arguing Folau committed a ‘high-level’ breach. Folau may argue that if posting offensive material on private social media channels is a sackable offence, half of Australia would be unemployed.
Hyslop: Love it. It warms my heart any time Australian rugby
. . . actually make that Australian sport . . . is plunged into this sort of melodrama. Folau calling in the lawyers only drags out the process and continues to derail the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign. I hope it makes it all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the year 2021.
Goile: Ugly, and awkward. So it seems Rugby Australia went back to Folau after he had signed his new contract last year and tried to then insert extra social media clauses. What the? Why didn’t they have that sorted from the beginning? In any case, it would seem Folau had breached the ‘normal’ contract bits around player code of conduct anyway. He’s obviously unrepentant but then even if he were to have the decision go his way, some players and coaches have already made it clear they don’t want him playing for them anyway, so then that would be the next drama, if they are allowed to not pick him. When James Parsons runs on to the field tonight to play the Highlanders, he’ll join an exclusive club at the Blues and also become part of a disappearing breed.
The 32-year-old hooker will make his 100th appearance for the Blues, becoming the sixth member of the club to reach the milestone. It will be a memorable moment for the passionate and loyal servant.
‘‘His work ethic is outstanding,’’ Blues coach Leon MacDonald said of the front rower he’s grown to admire over the season.
‘‘It’s a real credit to the way he’s gone about his work over the years and he’s been through a lot with this group.’’ These days, players who get to play 100 games of Super Rugby in New Zealand tend to be established All Blacks. If they haven’t cracked Steve James Parsons Hansen’s team
they chase the pounds, euros or yen instead.
Parsons has played two tests for the All Blacks, against Scotland in 2014 and Argentina two years later.
While he no doubt would have wanted more caps, he’s also been happy to be a loyal servant for North Harbour, who he has already played 100 games for, and the Blues.
As more players go overseas, Parsons has become more invaluable to the Blues and New Zealand rugby.
‘‘Super Rugby is getting younger and younger. We’re now contracting guys who are 19, 20,’’ MacDonald said. ‘‘So to have 30 year olds who have played 100 games, it’s critical to have that balance.
‘‘You can’t have a team full of them, but you need a group that can help share their experiences.’’
For Parsons, it’s always been about staying loyal. He’s been through more tough times at the Blues than most rugby players experience through their careers, yet is still passionate about the jersey.
‘‘It comes back to how passionate you are about places you represent and everyone knows I’m passionate about Harbour and the Blues,’’ he said.
He admits he’s not the most naturally talented rugby player there’s ever been, but has carved out a lengthy career for himself by being prepared to work hard.
Parsons has looked at offers from elsewhere each time his contract has come up for renewal but there’s always been one factor that kept him in New Zealand.
‘‘There’s no point lying about it, you always look at other options,’’ he said.
‘‘But then you’ve got to ask the question where will you be most happy and this is where I’m happy.’’
Most appearances for the Blues: