Parkes signs for the Hurricanes

[TRF Mr Fish]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/9238961/Auckland-skipper-Parkes-signs-for-Hurricanes

Former Manawatu and current Auckland rugby captain Hadleigh Parkes this morning confirmed he will play for the Hurricanes for the next Super Rugby season."I have signed and I am going to the 'Canes," he told Fairfax Media.
This year he played for the Southern Kings out of Port Elizabeth in South Africa and the previous season was brought into the Blues after his first year with Auckland.
The Blues didn't come calling this time.
"I think their roster is pretty full," the centre-fullback said.
Negotiations are taking place about where he will play his ITM Cup rugby next year.
Parkes, from Ohingaiti near Hunterville in the central North Island, played for Palmerston North Boys' High School and was brought back to Manawatu from Canterbury by then-Manawatu coach Dave Rennie for the 2010 season.
Parkes has a knee injury and rates himself only 40 per cent likely to play for Auckland against Wellington at Wellington on Saturday night.

 

[ABs2011]

They've also picked up Marty Banks and I think I heard they've got Mark Abbott as well...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

They've also picked up Marty Banks and I think I heard they've got Mark Abbott as well...

Interesting, surely that means that Ihaia West has been picked up by another team already then. What's the bet that West turns out brilliant and Banks flops? Just another case of the Hurricanes missing out on talents from within their own region...

JJ probably spoke to West as soon as HB won the shield off Otago

 

[Darwin]

Interesting signing. I'm surprised the Canes went out of their way to sign him so early - he is hardly a standout player, so I would be surprised if there was much (any?) interest in him from other franchises.

I hadn't heard about Banks, but he could be handy addition. The Canes are short of quality goal-kickers, and Banks could certainly fill that void (and has been playing very well at ITM Cup level). Abbott certainly has some talent, I just wonder whether he has the physicality required at next level. He is incredibly mobile, and can easily slot in at 6 (or even 8), but I'm not sure mobility is what the Canes need from their locks...

 

[ABs2011]

Yeah Ihaia is an interesting prospect. I probably haven't watched enough of him to really make too much comment BUT I'm not sure he will be considered ready for Super Rugby yet. Bit flimsy on D, and decision making is questionable at times...Clearly a talent with ball in hand though. Marty Banks I think is a pretty good call for the Canes. A better back up 10 than Pisi and probably just a better all round player than West at the moment.

As an aside, I'm glad Tasman players are finally getting noticed. For me they are hands down the best Championship side this year and players are finally reaping the benefits with several players having Super Rugby contracts now.

 

[nickdnz]

I hope we still pick up West - he's been remarkably dangerous with ball in hand. That said I could see another franchise being able to do more with him seeing as we have Barrett and now Banks (who should be a reliable option). Can the Hurricanes one day sign a young talent from within their region..

 

[ABs2011]

I hope we still pick up West - he's been remarkably dangerous with ball in hand. That said I could see another franchise being able to do more with him seeing as we have Barrett and now Banks (who should be a reliable option). Can the Hurricanes one day sign a young talent from within their region..

One day mate, one day! At least we still have Barrett and Savea, could have easily lost both this year I reckon and Ardie wouldn't have been for behind his brother had he gone!

 

[nickdnz]

One day mate, one day! At least we still have Barrett and Savea, could have easily lost both this year I reckon and Ardie wouldn't have been for behind his brother had he gone!

Yep. Had they been lost to the franchise the Canes would have an administration clear out. We still have heaps of young talent - but we've also got some positions where we're short on talent and we've let the guys that could fill it pass.