Burgeoning Chiefs star Simon Parker tackling the 'big boppers'

The Chiefs have started Super Rugby Pacific with gusto, avenging their 2024 final loss to the Blues at Eden Park and trouncing the Crusaders by a record score in Hamilton.

Flanker Simon Parker has played every minute in both victories and produced displays worthy of a chin-wag.

Against the Blues, Parker battled manfully, contributing 15 tackles and six carries. He was even better against the Crusaders, with a dozen tackles, seven carries, and two line breaks in which he delivered passes for tries.

“The Crusaders game was one of those games where everything clicked. It was fun, but it means nothing moving forward if we don’t keep working hard and earning every day,” Parker told RugbyPass.

“I’m enjoying being out in the middle. I’ve had a long run of injuries, and there are some things you can’t work on until you’re out there.”

A product of the Otamatea Hawks rugby club in Kaiwaka, Parker was a first five until age 13. Competition from future Chiefs and Crusaders ten Rivez Reihana prompted Parker to shift to loose forward.

Player Dominant Tackles

1

Adrian Choat

3

2

Simon Parker

3

3

Mark Tele'a

2

He boarded at St Peter’s Cambridge in his final year of college in 2018. With future All Black Cam Roigard, Parker helped St Peter’s win a national co-education schools title and made the New Zealand Secondary Schools team that beat Australia in Brisbane.

New Zealand Under 20s selection followed, and then a Chiefs debut uncontracted in 2020.

The next two seasons were ruined by injuries. Early in 2021, surgery was required on a plantar plate in the foot that was ruptured twice. Later that year, Parker tore a labrum in his shoulder while holding a tackle bag at practice.

“The hardest thing being injured was watching games. I’m a terrible watcher,” Parker laughed.

“The shining light in rehab is seeing the end goal in sight. Small improvements are big milestones. They build confidence and resilience.”

Parker made 14 appearances (nine from the bench) and scored three tries for the Chiefs in 2024. Northland only won two of nine matches in the NPC, but Parker wasn’t replaced. His toil caught the eye of All Blacks XV selectors, and Parker played in the 31-13 win against Georgia in Montpellier.

“I wasn’t picked in the original squad, but there were a few injuries and I was stoked to get a crack,” Parker said.

“Georgia were big boppers. Their national sport is wrestling. They were hugely physical. It was a real challenge.”

Parker is up to the challenge of playing any position in the back row. He started two of 23 first-class matches in 2024 as an openside flanker and has already covered six and eight for the Chiefs in 2025.

“I don’t care where I play, to be honest. My approach is that if all three loose forwards are playing their best and doing their roles, the number on the jersey is irrelevant,” Parker said.

“In some situations, the roles might be different. Sometimes the six will be the main ball carrier; sometimes the eight. Being a good loose forward is about understanding your strengths and working together as a trio.”

With 48 wins in 66 matches, Clayton McMillan has often got the best out of the Chiefs as coach. This week, the former Bay of Plenty loose forward and policeman announced he was bound for Munster at the end of the season.

“I was pretty surprised,” Parker admitted.

“Clayton has been massive in reestablishing our identity, demanding higher performance, and creating competition within the squad. He says we are in the business of winning and he works hard to ensure we’re best equipped to win the moments that matter.”

The Chiefs host the Brumbies in Hamilton on Saturday. Parker will start at No.8.

“The Brumbies have been the Aussie leaders for some time, so we expect a tough game. They’re always physical and good at mauling but they can play with tempo and width too, so we’ll have to be on our toes to nullify that.”