Wayne Pivac pleased to add Hadleigh Parkes to Scarlets squad
Former Auckland head coach snaps up versatile back from his old club to shore up backline
Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac is delighted at luring versatile back Hadleigh Parkes from Auckland to West Wales.
The 27-year-old, who can play at centre or full-back, joins his former coach at the Parc y Scarlets.
Injury problems and international call-ups have stretched the resources of the Scarlets backline in recent weeks.
Pivac, who joined the Scarlets as assistant coach from the Eden Park club in the summer before succeeding Simon Easterby as head coach, knows Parkes well and believes he will bring a lot to the Guinness PRO12 club after turning out for Super Rugby franchises including the Hurricanes and Southern Kings in 2013.
“It’s great to see Hadleigh arrive in West Wales and join us here at Parc y Scarlets,” he said.
“Hadleigh will add some strength and depth to the backline having played Super Rugby in both South Africa and New Zealand as a midfield back and outside back.
“Hadleigh, at 27 years of age, will bring leadership qualities to the team having previously captained sides in New Zealand.
“I’ve worked with Hadleigh for two years, he’s a well rounded player who’ll bring a lot to the squad both on and off the field.”
Croeso mawr / A very warm @scarlets_rugby to HADLEIGH PARKES #ynypac #inthepack pic.twitter.com/KC19PgaCFK
— Scarlets (@scarlets_rugby) December 2, 2014
As well as his stint in Super Rugby, Parkes was a mainstay in the Auckland side from making his ITM Cup debut in 2011, and he played alongside Gareth Anscombe, another recent import to Wales, who made his Cardiff Blues debut last month.
