Gatland springs surprise
Former Blues and Hurricanes midfielder Hadleigh Parkes has been named in Wales’ squad for their Autumn test series despite not being eligible for three of their four tests.
The 30-year-old, who plays for Scarlets in Wales, qualifies under residency on December 2, the same day as the side’s final test against South Africa.
That means he will not be eligible to play against Australia on November 11, Georgia on November 18 and the All Blacks on November 25.
Parkes’ selection in the Welsh squad came ahead of 48-test centre Scott Williams (his Scarlets’ teammate) and 96-test veteran Jamie Roberts in the 36-man team.
Fellow Kiwi and former Auckland teammate Gareth Anscombe was not considered for the side due to a groin injury.
Welsh media reported that Parkes’ selection — and the inclusion of three other newcomers — marked a departure from the ‘‘Warrenball’’ style of rugby previously favoured by Gatland.
Gatland said at a press conference near Cardiff that his selections were ‘‘based on what we’ve been trying to do in terms of developing our game since we went to New Zealand in 2016’’.
‘‘The game has changed, we see a lot teams with the 10-12 combination who have ball-players at 12 based on speed of ball, decision making. So we have picked players who we feel can fulfil that role for us.
‘‘We’ve not always had the personnel who we’ve felt have been able to do that, but now we feel someone like Owen [Watkin] and Hadleigh [Parkes] can fulfil them, and Owen Williams as well.
‘‘Hadleigh will come in early but may go back to the Scarlets for a game against Bennetton and he is away for one week because his brother is getting married in New Zealand.
‘‘He will then work with us in the weeks before the South Africa game when he becomes available.’’
Parkes, born in Hunterville and educated at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, made his provincial debut for his home union Manawatu¯ on loan from Canterbury in 2010 where he had headed after school.
After 13 games and three tries for the Turbos, he transferred to Auckland.
Parkes’ form earned him a spot in John Kirwan’s 2012 Blues squad. He played 13 games for the franchise before Kirwan deemed him surplus to requirements in
2013.
So he signed on with South Africa’s Southern Kings in the side’s Super Rugby debut season, playing five games in a season cut short by a broken arm.
He returned to New Zealand to captain Auckland.
The Hurricanes came calling in
2014 with Parkes playing six games in his final Super Rugby stint. At the end of the 2014 provincial season after 41 games for Auckland, Parkes headed to Scarlets to link up with former Auckland coach Wayne Pivac.
Parkes was called into to help the All Blacks at training during the 2015 Rugby World Cup when the side was hit with injuries and tournament rules only allowed locally-based players to be used as training partners.