Parsons reaches 100 match Super milestone
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 seventh member of the club to reach the milestone and 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.
‘‘He’s a diligent guy, a proud Blues man and I know it’s a proud moment for him.
‘‘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. ‘‘A lot of tough times and good times, it’s been reflected on this week and I know it’s a pretty proud moment for him to make this milestone.’’
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 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.
For Parsons though, 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 he’s still passionate about pulling the jersey over his head every weekend.
‘‘I pride myself on loyalty, it’s a characteristic I value a lot,’’ Parsons said. ‘‘I think it comes back to how passionate you are about places you represent and everyone knows I’m passionate about Harbour and the Blues.’’ 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.
‘‘He’s a smart rugby player,’’ MacDonald said. ‘‘He prides himself on his work ethic off the field, he does a lot of homework on the opposition and reviews himself honestly and thoroughly.
‘‘He’s been a captain and he’s a leader naturally and is quite demanding of his team-mates around him. Those sorts of guys are invaluable in a group.’’
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.’’ Denny Solomona is driving home from Sale Sharks’ training base with his mind set on a three-hour dog walk in the sun. Bella the doberman and Bruce the dalmatian are waiting.
‘‘I’d rather be out with nature,’’ says the 25-year-old. ‘‘I don’t want to be sitting indoors on my phone.’’
Idle hands and all that.
It has been a busy and unsavoury week in the relationship between rugby and social media, headlined by two of the world’s best players. The fallout from Israel Folau expressing his strongly held Christian beliefs, before Billy Vunipola appeared to endorse them on Instagram, has not escaped Solomona.
‘‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion but, for me, social media is a trap,’’ he says. ‘‘People become fixated on the negatives of it. There might be thousands of positive comments towards you but if there is one negative, it can rile you.’’
The Auckland-born Solomona is proud of his Samoan heritage. He was raised into a Christian family, in a similar manner to so many peers with Polynesian and Melanesian ancestry, but admits he has never encountered the same level of hostility that laced Folau’s Instagram post, which informed drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters that hell awaited them unless they repented.
Nor has Solomona witnessed religion divide a dressing room. However, across a code-hopping career spanning Melbourne Storm, London Broncos, Castleford Tigers and now Steve Diamond’s Sale, he has needed to lean on his own faith.
‘‘I believe in God, but I’ve probably done six of the other seven of the things [Folau] listed,’’ Solomona adds. ‘‘What I think he’s saying is that it’s never too late to turn to faith if you want guidance.
‘‘I’ve been in the media for a lot of controversial things, but my faith has led to me being a better person