Hayden Parker's price tag keeps moving up as the world's most accurate goal kicker
Sunwolves flyhalf Hayden Parker has cemented himself as New Zealand’s best goal kicker over the last two seasons with a record streak of 38 consecutive goal kicks followed by another run of 32 consecutive goal kicks. His astounding 97.4% success rate over the last two years at Super Rugby level makes him the most accurate goal kicker in the world.
There’s a reason why Hayden Parker has converted 70 of his past 71 kicks for the Sunwolves.
Check this out…pic.twitter.com/LJlAJGOtZ3
— The Rugby Paper (@TheRugbyPaper) March 29, 2019
The local Otago product came through the Highlanders system but found his road blocked by Colin Slade and then Lima Sopoaga, spending most of the time as a back-up over a five year period. Unable to get regular game time, Parker moved to the Japan Top League on a short-term deal, before the former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph picked up Parker for the Sunwolves in 2017.
Despite notching 50 caps for the Sunwolves, he has only made 8 appearances in the Top League and appeared just once in 2018 for his new team Kobe Steelers as Dan Carter took over the starting duties. With the Sunwolves set to be axed from 2020, is Parker going to be the most sought after player?
What's a 90%+ kicker worth in northern hemisphere rugby? Would be very surprised if Hayden Parker doesn't sign with someone before the end of Super Rugby.
— Karl (@NaRuagairi) March 30, 2019
The @SouthernKingsSA should splash some of their new cash and sign Hayden Parker
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 29, 2019
Hayden Parker is the best kicker in rugby history. There, I’ve said it! #WARvSUN
— Ollie Silverton (@Ollie_Silverton) March 29, 2019
Hayden Parker is the best kicker in the world. Ever.
DC, Wilko, Mehrts, Ronan, Morne, Percy and even our Leigh and Jenks. He’s got them all.
Got it on a string ?????? #WARvSUN
— Lloyd Jones (@LloydJones1882) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/AndrewBrogan/status/1111570617449340928
not be dramatic, but if you're watching Hayden Parker play today, you're probably witnessing the best kicking performance in all of rugby history pic.twitter.com/I7lfpgmWbC
— meanderthal ?? (@HonkyDaFonky) March 29, 2019
The 28-years-old Kiwi is on a path to become eligible for the Japan national side under World Rugby’s residency laws but with his growing reputation as the world’s best kicker, you would think cashed-up clubs will come calling, particularly in the Premiership where the threat of relegation can turn late-season games into goal-kicking shootouts.
A few corners in New Zealand have also called on Parker to return home, with goal kicking being somewhat of a thorn in the side of New Zealand flyhalves recently. There are potentially three New Zealand franchises that do not have an established flyhalf that could use Parker, including his former hometown team the Highlanders who said goodbye to Lima Sopoaga last year.
The Chiefs have used Marty McKenzie recently and shown a preference for using Damian McKenzie at fullback, while the Blues have three young talents trying to establish themselves as the starter.
Where he eventually lands is unknown but one thing is for sure, whoever signs Parker is going to have to pay more than they would have 12-months ago, which could rule out a return home to New Zealand.
Jake Gordon re-signs with Rugby Australia:
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments