Sam Parkes
That Hone Haerewa and Te Rangi Fraser have been superb this season, nobody can deny.
Ngati Porou East Coast captain Haerewa's reselection for — and his Sky Blue teammate Fraser's elevation to — the New Zealand Heartland 15 under head coach Nigel Walsh is a great thing.
Uawa halfback Sam Parkes was named as a non-travelling reserve and wouldn't have been out of place had he been named as a starter for the Heartland 15 game against the New Zealand Barbarians at Owen Delany Park in Taupo on Sunday, December 5.
The Coast's three-win campaign in the Heartland Championship owes much to Parkes's excellent contribution.
Haerewa is outstanding. Fearless, he does everything possible for a man able to cover every forward spot from lock to No.8. His strength, prowess at the lineout, and ferocity in contact, in the tackle and at the breakdown are matched by his instincts as a support player, and his athleticism, flair, vision and unselfishness when his team run the ball.
Haerewa's NPEC crew — to a family, not just a man — could not speak more highly of a captain as to his integrity, loyalty and positive attitude. This endorsement couldn't help but glow in reflection of that.
Coast head coach and former All Black Hosea Gear gave a take on all three players — Haerewa, Fraser and Parkes.
“I'm stoked for all of them — they've been our standout players for the year, although I thought Jorian Tangaere (front row) was unlucky to miss out,” Gear said.
“Growing up, Hone played first five-eighth and lock while at Rotorua Boys' High School, so he has a really good skill set for open play and at set piece. He has a high work-rate and great tackle technique, and is arguably one of the most skilful loosies playing the game in New Zealand. I don't say that lightly.
“He also is one of the best lineout options in the Heartland competition, if not the best — both on attack and defence — and is as quick as some of the backs.
“He's a big-hearted family man. Everyone feels comfortable around him. As a leader, this is really important as it makes him approachable and easy to talk to.”
Fraser was simply too big, too good and too much for many opposing first five-eighths to handle during the Heartland season. He could regularly step by, around, over and through would-be tacklers and was a real and constant threat with pass, kick or run.
Fraser didn't just identify and exploit space in the heat of battle; playing with him, his outsides came to do the same.
Fraser was rarely nailed by the opposition, yet even when he was, he didn't turn the ball over. He was also a good tackler but is best-remembered as an instinctive, aggressive player of match-winning ability.
Gear said of Fraser: “He's a great attacker and a well-balanced runner who can step off both feet. He shows the ball well and is deceptively quick. He has a great boot but is also just as good at counter-attacking and seeing space.
“Te Rangi is, like Hone, a great guy to get along with because he's team-oriented.”
Gear, All Black No.1079, holds Parkes in equally high esteem.
“Combinations are huge at Heartland level,” Gear said.
“Sam and Te Rangi complemented each other, as well as our attack.
“I thought Sam was better than most, if not all, of the halfbacks I saw this year and I would've had him in my team.
“He brings more to the table than other No.9s.”
Haerewa, Fraser and Parkes are all down-to-earth people but appreciate the great honour bestowed on them.
“I'm excited. It's a pretty cool environment to be in, getting to know players you went to war with, making new connections and life-long friends. That's one of the best things about rugby.” — Hone Haerewa.
“It's a black jersey so I'll put in the preparation, put my best foot forward, and see what happens.” — Te Rangi Fraser.
Parkes, who is said to bleed blue for his beloved Uawa during the club season and then Sky Blue during the representative season, never forgets how and with whom he's done what he's done in rugby.
“I enjoy playing for the Coast every year but this year was even more special. There's nothing like being in a Coast team that's winning.”