Parks calls it quits
7 Feb 2012
Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks has retired from international rugby with immediate effect.
Following last week’s loss to England, the 33-year-old Parks has decided that he can put off his retirement no longer. He had originally intended to retire after the 2011 World Cup, but the prospect of facing England in one final Six Nations clash proved too tempting. In the end, it turned out to be a bad decision as England scored an important try after Charlie Hodgson charged down a Parks kick.
‘I was thinking about it [retirement] but the first game of the Six Nations was against England, the auld enemy, Jacko [Ruardirh Jackson] was injured and being able to play against England was huge for me as there was a sense of unfinished business,’ said Parks.
‘On reflection after the game, after talking it over with my family, girlfriend and close friends, I’ve come to the decision that now is the right time to retire from the international game.’
With Parks unavailable for selection, Greig Laidlaw is likely to start at flyhalf in this week’s clash with Wales. Coach Andy Robinson is also likely to use flyhalf Duncan Weir in the 22.
‘There are some really talented guys coming through – Jacko, Greig and Duncan – and although I’m sad to be finishing my international career I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland and what that has meant to me,’ said Parks.
‘I’ve no regrets at what has been an amazing career for me. I’ve got my favourite moments for Scotland – uppermost being the 2007 World Cup.
‘Other memorable moments have been the two wins against England at home [in 2006 and 2008], the win against South Africa here at Murrayfield [in November 2010], the two wins in Argentina in 2010 and one in 2008 and the Ireland game in 2010 which was a great occasion.’
Parks played 67 Tests for Scotland and amassed 266 points.
5 Comments
7 Feb 2012, 20:14 pm
Sorry Parks, but it’s truly shameful that the Boks lost to this team.
7 Feb 2012, 22:15 pm
Parks was a very poor 10, how he won as many caps as he did is beyond me
8 Feb 2012, 00:29 am
@Saffex-2: Fact of the matter is if you took Parks out of the last 15 test matches or so, there would have been next to no victories whatsoever. He has been made a scape goat for the loss to a very poor England team (we are not any better though). And id be more concerned as to why your Morne Steyn has amassed the caps he has! There is no difference between him and Parks, Parks at least has a tactical kicking game (sometimes it doesnt work too well) but Steyn has nothing barring good goal kicking. kaksioek you lost to Scotland because you had a prize clown for a manager and Steyn at fly half!
8 Feb 2012, 01:01 am
@dquinn25-3: Sorry dude, but Morne Steyn – limited as he is – is far superior to Parks, who would probably struggle to get a Currie Cup game in SA.
8 Feb 2012, 12:11 pm
The best news I’ve heard in ages. Still don’t know why he was ever selected. He would be hard pushed to get a number ten slot in a Super League “A” team.
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