SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 12 hrs 18 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Quarter-Finals
Oct 20, 2019 at 8.15am UK
 
Wales
20-19
France
Wainwright (13'), Moriarty (74')
FT
Vahaamahina (5'), Ollivon (8'), Vakatawa (31')

Hadleigh Parkes 'privileged' to play in World Cup quarter-final

:Headline: Hadleigh Parkes 'privileged' to play in World Cup quarter-final: ID:375497: from db_amp
New Zealand-born centre has become a mainstay of the Wales team.

Hadleigh Parkes and his wife Suzy are set to become proud parents next month – and the Webb Ellis Cup would be a perfect gift for their new arrival.

Suzy is due to give birth around November 18, just over two weeks after the World Cup final.

And with Wales two wins away from securing a place in that showpiece occasion, it could prove a fantastic fortnight for New Zealand-born Parkes and his family.

Wales' Hadleigh Parkes (centre) is tackled by Fiji's Semi Kunatani and Levani Botia during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D match at Oita Stadium.

"We are both very excited," Wales centre Parkes said. "She is going well. We are very lucky with the support base we have in Cardiff and around Wales.

"The baby is due around November 18, and they say with your first one it's normally a bit late, but you never know."

And asked about the possibility of a World Cup welcome present, he added: "That would be nice!"

Since qualifying for Wales on residency and making a Test debut in December 2017, Parkes has proved a midfield model of consistency.

He has played in 22 of Wales' last 26 games and been on the losing side just four times.

Parkes, 32, only arrived in Wales five years ago, joining the Scarlets and quickly carving out a strong reputation.

Rugby World Cup Gareth Davies v Antoine Dupont. See story RUGBYU Wales. Editable versions of this graphic are available via PA Graphics or your account manager. Infographic by PA Graphics

"You do have to pinch yourself a little bit," he said. "It has been an amazing few years. To be here, playing in a World Cup quarter-final against France, it's exciting and a massive privilege.

"It has been superb. With how it came about five years ago I would certainly never have dreamt that this would be on the cards, but it has worked out pretty well.

"There were two options on the table – Bayonne for six months and maybe a little bit longer, or a two-a half-year gig in west Wales.

"Suzy had just qualified as a chartered accountant, so it was a bit tough to ask her to go to a French-speaking country where she probably wouldn't be able to work.

"For both of us it was probably a better move to go somewhere where she could work as well and get experience. She has loved that side of it.

"Wayne Pivac (Wales' new head coach after the World Cup) was my Auckland ITM Cup coach, and then he got the job at the Scarlets.

Wales' Hadleigh Parkes has formed a high-class centre combination with Jonathan Davies.


"He was going in initially as a forwards coach, but then Simon Easterby went to Ireland and Wayne got the head coach job.

"He had been in touch a couple of times before he left, and then it came through that there was a gig there and would I be keen? It was a great opportunity for both Suzy and myself to go."

Parkes never looked back, establishing a high-class centre combination with Jonathan Davies and becoming an integral part of Wales boss Warren Gatland's plans.

"When I turned up to the Scarlets five years ago we struggled to make the (league) play-offs, then two years later we managed to win it, then the following year we made the PRO14 final and the semi-finals of Europe," he added.

"And being able to play for Wales in the last two years has been amazing. The (winning) run we went on, the Six Nations, the Grand Slam, the tour to Argentina and America.

“Now it's knockout footy and if we don't show up on Sunday we are packing our bags and going home”
- Hadleigh Parkes

"I've had some amazing experiences, and it has been a dream."

Parkes, though, knows the danger that France will present in Oita on Sunday.

"Everyone knows what's on the line this weekend," he said. "We either fly to Tokyo or we are flying back to Wales on Monday.

"We hugely respect them, they are a good side and it's always a tough game.

"Now, it's knockout footy, and if we don't show up on Sunday we are packing our bags and going home. The boys are relaxed, but deep down we are chomping at the bit to get into it."

amp_article__375497 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-19 12:18:08:
html db last update - 2021-02-17 14:32:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Hadleigh Parkes

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .