Dan Parks
Encyclopedia
Daniel Arthur Parks is a Scottish
international rugby union
player who plays for RaboDirect Pro12
side Cardiff Blues
as fly-half. He is the RaboDirect Pro12
record points scorer having amassed 1263 points since his debut in 2003 (18T, 147C, 30DG, 263P)
. He also represented New South Wales at under-21 level. During his playing days in the Sydney rugby union competition, Parks broke a long standing point scoring record for the third fifteen's highest scoring replacement in a friendly game.
. After making his debut as a replacement in the Celtic Cup victory over Celtic Warriors at Bridgend in September 2003, Parks was quick to establish himself as the club's first choice fly-half, a position he held in all 7 seasons he played for Glasgow. Testament to his game-winning prowess. Parks was top points scorer for his club in every season he played for Glasgow from the 2003/04 to the 2009/10 season, scoring tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals.
This accumulation of points means he has become the highest all-time points scorer for the club. In what would be Glasgow's final match of the 2008/2009 season, Parks attained the distinction of being the first ever player to reach 1,000 points in the Magners League play.
Parks was also named Player of the Season in 2006/07 and in 2009/10. Over his Glasgow career, he has made regular appearances for the Scotland
national side, including in the Six Nations
and the 2007 World Cup. For his World Cup performance, Parks was voted Scotland
player of the tournament
Parks was also named Glasgow Warriors
player of the season both in 2006/07 and in 2009/10. Throughout his Glasgow career, he has made regular appearances for the Scottish national side, including in the Six Nations
the 2007 World Cup, Scotland tours to Australia 2004, South Africa 2006 & Argentina 2008,2010
Parks leaves Glasgow Warriors
as their record points scorer, having amassed 1531 points (20 tries, 322 penalties,188 conversions and 26 drop goals) in 146 games. He also holds the distinction as being the RaboDirect Pro12
all time record point’s holder.
Parks' exceptional form for Glasgow Warriors
was recognised by the Magners League as he was voted best fly-half with his inclusion in the leagues Dream Team 2009/10 Glasgow Warriors
team mates Alastair Kellock
and John Barclay also featured, in addition to Edinburgh’s Dutch winger Tim Visser
, Parks signed a 2 year deal with Cardiff Blues
, in doing so he becomes the first Scotsman to play for them. Parks made his Magners League Blues debut on 4 September 2010 in the 34–23 win against Edinburgh, Parks kicked 14 points and was awarded man of the match. At the end of his first season with the Blues he played 18 times scoring 210 points (18C,10DG,48P)
via his maternal grandfather who was born in Kilbirnie Ayrshire
. He made his Scotland debut in February 2004 against Wales
. He also played in all three 2005 Autumn tests, his positive attitude and commitment won praise from coach Frank Hadden
. Parks' fortunes improved along with those of the Scotland team who enjoyed more success in the 2005–2006 season.
Despite being the choice No.10 for Scottish national coach Matt Williams
and his successor Frank Hadden
, he has on occasion appeared to have had a difficult time fitting into this role, particularly in the 2008 Six Nations games against England and Italy. However, in the tour of Argentina 2008 he scored a break away try to secure the second test victory, levelling the series 1–1.
His tactical kicking and ability to take long-range penalties are his main strong points, both for Scotland and the Glasgow Warriors, and are often cited as reasons for his continued participation in the Scottish national side. At times it appeared that Parks struggled to bring the same consistently high performance witnessed at Glasgow Warriors
to the Scotland team.
Parks has played in Six Nations
the 2007 World Cup, Scotland tours to Australia 2004, South Africa 2006 and Argentina 2008, 2010 .
His poor form for Glasgow Warriors
and off field issues lead to him being axed from the Scotland set up throughout 2009.
After initially being left out of Andy Robinson's 2010 Six Nations Championship
squad against France he was called up against Wales where he was named man of the match. He subsequently won two more man of the match during the 6 Nations championship against Italy and Ireland.
Parks was an integral part of Scotland winning their first ever test series. Scotland won 2–0 against Argentina
securing a 24–16 victory in Tucumán. A week later he played as part of the heroic 13–9 victory over Argentina in La Plata
Parks outlined his desire to add to his 53 caps in the November internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa and in the 2011 RWC.
"I've got 53 caps now and I want to build on that. My goal is to get to the World Cup to represent Scotland there." (Interview with BBC Scotland 28 August 2010)
On May 10, 2011 Parks was named in the provisional 40-man Rugby World Cup 2011 squad.
Parks made his first Rugby World Cup 2011 appearance in the 15-6 victory over Georgia
where he scored all of the points (4P,1DG). In landing a drop goal in the 37th minute Parks furthered his Scottish drop goal record to 15.
In the last minute of the game against Argentina, which Los Pumas won 13-12, Parks missed the decisive drop goal. Following this match there has been criticism of Parks tactical sense, after he scored a drop goal during a period of advantage in an advanced position.
opted to give him second chance.
tie against Wales.
Parks went on to win an unprecedented 3 man of-the-match awards in four games (Wales, Italy, Ireland) during the 2010 Six Nations Championship
. After being somewhat of a controversial figure for Scotland during his career he was often maligned by both fans and critics alike for his high-risk game play.
This was to change during the 2010 Six Nations Championship
under the tutelage of Andy Robinson. Parks regained some of the self-belief and confidence that had often evaded him while playing for Scotland but been so prevalent for Glasgow.
Parks said of Andy Robinson
"he has been a big contributor to the improvement in the Scotland team."
During the Six Nations Championship
Parks enacted a ‘Lazarus’ like revival to produce performances that were worthy of national acclaim. In doing so he proved that much of the criticism aimed at him previously to be unfounded. Even one of most hardened critics, Scotsman journalist Alan Massie, recognised his outstanding performances.
His status as a national hero was confirmed after he landed a winning 79th minute kick from the touchline versus Ireland to secure a famous 23–20 win in Croke Park’s final Six Nations Championship
game, the first Scotland win on Irish soil for 12 years.
Testament to his first-class performances throughout the 2010 6 Nations he featured in many writers' team of the tournament.
Parks continued his fine form for Scotland playing an integral role in securing a 2–0 series victory in the 2010 tour of Argentina
. This was Scotland’s first ever capped series victory in 50 years of touring. In addition, it was the first time in 26 years that Scotland have won 3 away internationals in a row. Parks then went on to score all 21 points in Scotland's 21 – 17 upset win over South Africa
with 6 penalties and a drop-goal.
In the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he missed a decisive drop-goal against Argentina in the final minutes, denying Scotland a needed victory.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
international rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who plays for RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
side Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
as fly-half. He is the RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
record points scorer having amassed 1263 points since his debut in 2003 (18T, 147C, 30DG, 263P)
Early career
Parks was brought up in Sydney, Australia and played rugby for West Harbour RUFC, Southern Districts RUFC and Eastern Suburbs RUFCEastern Suburbs RUFC
The Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Football Club is a team in the Shute Shield and the Tooheys New cup, the premier club rugby union football competition in New South Wales....
. He also represented New South Wales at under-21 level. During his playing days in the Sydney rugby union competition, Parks broke a long standing point scoring record for the third fifteen's highest scoring replacement in a friendly game.
Leeds Carnegie
After moving to the UK in September 2001 to pursue his professional rugby career, Parks amassed 51 points for Leeds Tykes 6 games before leaving for Eastern Suburbs.Glasgow Warriors
In 2003 Parks returned to the UK and joined Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
. After making his debut as a replacement in the Celtic Cup victory over Celtic Warriors at Bridgend in September 2003, Parks was quick to establish himself as the club's first choice fly-half, a position he held in all 7 seasons he played for Glasgow. Testament to his game-winning prowess. Parks was top points scorer for his club in every season he played for Glasgow from the 2003/04 to the 2009/10 season, scoring tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals.
This accumulation of points means he has become the highest all-time points scorer for the club. In what would be Glasgow's final match of the 2008/2009 season, Parks attained the distinction of being the first ever player to reach 1,000 points in the Magners League play.
Parks was also named Player of the Season in 2006/07 and in 2009/10. Over his Glasgow career, he has made regular appearances for the Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
national side, including in the Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
and the 2007 World Cup. For his World Cup performance, Parks was voted Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
player of the tournament
Parks was also named Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
player of the season both in 2006/07 and in 2009/10. Throughout his Glasgow career, he has made regular appearances for the Scottish national side, including in the Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
the 2007 World Cup, Scotland tours to Australia 2004, South Africa 2006 & Argentina 2008,2010
Parks leaves Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
as their record points scorer, having amassed 1531 points (20 tries, 322 penalties,188 conversions and 26 drop goals) in 146 games. He also holds the distinction as being the RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
all time record point’s holder.
Parks' exceptional form for Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
was recognised by the Magners League as he was voted best fly-half with his inclusion in the leagues Dream Team 2009/10 Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
team mates Alastair Kellock
Alastair Kellock
Alastair Kellock is a rugby union player for Glasgow Warriors in the RaboDirect Pro12.Kellock's position of choice is as a Lock....
and John Barclay also featured, in addition to Edinburgh’s Dutch winger Tim Visser
Tim Visser
Tim Visser is a Dutch rugby union player currently playing on the wing for Edinburgh Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. He is the first Dutch rugby player to play professionally.-Early career:...
Cardiff Blues
Joining from Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
, Parks signed a 2 year deal with Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
, in doing so he becomes the first Scotsman to play for them. Parks made his Magners League Blues debut on 4 September 2010 in the 34–23 win against Edinburgh, Parks kicked 14 points and was awarded man of the match. At the end of his first season with the Blues he played 18 times scoring 210 points (18C,10DG,48P)
Scotland career
Parks qualified to play for ScotlandScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
via his maternal grandfather who was born in Kilbirnie Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
. He made his Scotland debut in February 2004 against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
. He also played in all three 2005 Autumn tests, his positive attitude and commitment won praise from coach Frank Hadden
Frank Hadden
Frank Hadden is a Scottish rugby union coach. He is a former head coach of Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby.Hadden replaced Matt Williams and was appointed on 15 September 2005. Hadden coached the Merchiston Castle School 1st XV after being appointed Head of Physical Education at the school in 1983...
. Parks' fortunes improved along with those of the Scotland team who enjoyed more success in the 2005–2006 season.
Despite being the choice No.10 for Scottish national coach Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Matthew Williams or Matt Williams may refer to*Matthew Williams , minor league baseball player in the Minnesota Twins organization*Matt Williams , former Major League Baseball player...
and his successor Frank Hadden
Frank Hadden
Frank Hadden is a Scottish rugby union coach. He is a former head coach of Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby.Hadden replaced Matt Williams and was appointed on 15 September 2005. Hadden coached the Merchiston Castle School 1st XV after being appointed Head of Physical Education at the school in 1983...
, he has on occasion appeared to have had a difficult time fitting into this role, particularly in the 2008 Six Nations games against England and Italy. However, in the tour of Argentina 2008 he scored a break away try to secure the second test victory, levelling the series 1–1.
His tactical kicking and ability to take long-range penalties are his main strong points, both for Scotland and the Glasgow Warriors, and are often cited as reasons for his continued participation in the Scottish national side. At times it appeared that Parks struggled to bring the same consistently high performance witnessed at Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
to the Scotland team.
Parks has played in Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
the 2007 World Cup, Scotland tours to Australia 2004, South Africa 2006 and Argentina 2008, 2010 .
His poor form for Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
and off field issues lead to him being axed from the Scotland set up throughout 2009.
After initially being left out of Andy Robinson's 2010 Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
squad against France he was called up against Wales where he was named man of the match. He subsequently won two more man of the match during the 6 Nations championship against Italy and Ireland.
Parks was an integral part of Scotland winning their first ever test series. Scotland won 2–0 against Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
securing a 24–16 victory in Tucumán. A week later he played as part of the heroic 13–9 victory over Argentina in La Plata
La Plata
La Plata is the capital city of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and of La Plata partido. According to the , the city proper has a population of 574,369 and its metropolitan area has 694,253 inhabitants....
Parks outlined his desire to add to his 53 caps in the November internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa and in the 2011 RWC.
"I've got 53 caps now and I want to build on that. My goal is to get to the World Cup to represent Scotland there." (Interview with BBC Scotland 28 August 2010)
On May 10, 2011 Parks was named in the provisional 40-man Rugby World Cup 2011 squad.
Parks made his first Rugby World Cup 2011 appearance in the 15-6 victory over Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
where he scored all of the points (4P,1DG). In landing a drop goal in the 37th minute Parks furthered his Scottish drop goal record to 15.
In the last minute of the game against Argentina, which Los Pumas won 13-12, Parks missed the decisive drop goal. Following this match there has been criticism of Parks tactical sense, after he scored a drop goal during a period of advantage in an advanced position.
Personal controversy
On 19 April 2009, Parks was pulled over by police while driving on the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh at 3:45am. His blood alcohol levels were found to be over three times the legal limit. Parks was subsequently banned from driving for 18 months. His drunk driving coincided with poor form for Glasgow and omission from the Scottish team. Glasgow Warriors ordered Parks to train alone while his future was considered. After deliberating he was allowed to remain a Warrior after Sean LineenSean Lineen
Sean Lineen is a Scottish rugby player, originally from New Zealand. He has been awarded the freedom of the city of Edinburgh.-Early life:Lineen was born on December 25, 1961, in Auckland. He is the son of rugby player Terry Lineen....
opted to give him second chance.
Parks Reborn
After enduring an 18-month international exile he was recalled to the Scotland squad for the match 2010 Six Nations ChampionshipSix Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
tie against Wales.
Parks went on to win an unprecedented 3 man of-the-match awards in four games (Wales, Italy, Ireland) during the 2010 Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
. After being somewhat of a controversial figure for Scotland during his career he was often maligned by both fans and critics alike for his high-risk game play.
This was to change during the 2010 Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
under the tutelage of Andy Robinson. Parks regained some of the self-belief and confidence that had often evaded him while playing for Scotland but been so prevalent for Glasgow.
Parks said of Andy Robinson
"he has been a big contributor to the improvement in the Scotland team."
During the Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
Parks enacted a ‘Lazarus’ like revival to produce performances that were worthy of national acclaim. In doing so he proved that much of the criticism aimed at him previously to be unfounded. Even one of most hardened critics, Scotsman journalist Alan Massie, recognised his outstanding performances.
His status as a national hero was confirmed after he landed a winning 79th minute kick from the touchline versus Ireland to secure a famous 23–20 win in Croke Park’s final Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
game, the first Scotland win on Irish soil for 12 years.
Testament to his first-class performances throughout the 2010 6 Nations he featured in many writers' team of the tournament.
Parks continued his fine form for Scotland playing an integral role in securing a 2–0 series victory in the 2010 tour of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. This was Scotland’s first ever capped series victory in 50 years of touring. In addition, it was the first time in 26 years that Scotland have won 3 away internationals in a row. Parks then went on to score all 21 points in Scotland's 21 – 17 upset win over South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
with 6 penalties and a drop-goal.
In the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he missed a decisive drop-goal against Argentina in the final minutes, denying Scotland a needed victory.
Awards
- Scotland Player's Player of the World Cup 2007
- Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
Player of the season 2006/07 and 2009/10 - Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
record point scorer (1531 points) - Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
record appearance holder (143 games) - RaboDirect Pro12Celtic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
record point scorer (1,226 points)(As of 2010/11 season end) - Selected in the Celtic League's dream team 2009/10 as best fly-half
- Most drop goals for ScotlandScotland national rugby union teamThe Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(15)