James Parsons of the All Blacks prepares to pack down for the scrum during the Viagogo Autumn International match between Scotland and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.
James Parsons of the All Blacks prepares to pack down for the scrum during the Viagogo Autumn International match between Scotland and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.
Nutty - that's the All Black resting policy in the case of James Parsons.
Whether the rule forcing All Blacks to skip at least two Super Rugby games works is debatable. In the selectors we probably must trust because they have the information to know best.
In the current caseof Parsons, the late-blooming Blues hooker, it doesn't make sense. Yes, the 28-year-old is an All Black, but he's hardly a real one. The likeable Harbour hooker struck the jackpot when he got half a game against Scotland at Murrayfield late last year. Parsons can play alright, but despite bulking up he's still to prove he has test-class power. And he can't do that sitting down.
Two weeks ago, Sir John Kirwan rested Parsons against the Crusaders, a game Parsons should have been desperate to play in. He got half an hour against the Western Force at Eden Park last Saturday, and now he's been rested again for the game in Melbourne. Some players must get hugely frustrated with this stop-start-stop business.
An irony is this: resting Parsons means more work for Blues mate Keven Mealamu, the ancient All Black who needs every last drop of remaining petrol to motor into his last World Cup. And Parsons is the No. 4 hooker at best, behind Dane Coles, Mealamu and Nathan Harris who will be fit to play again soon.
From a spectator's point of view, the resting policy is exhausting to follow and it further undermines the credibility of Super Rugby. But rugby seasons are horrendously long so top players do need managing. And there is only one team that really matters these days, the All Blacks.
The rest rules could be more flexible though, and the Blues players get an almost mandatory rest during the finals each season. Even if he does make the test squad, Parsons is highly unlikely to have a dominant role. Parsons will love being classed as an All Black, but isn't getting the best chance of remaining one.
