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Hayden Parker's price tag keeps moving up as the world's most accurate goal kicker

Hayden Parker of the Sunwolves. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Sunwolves flyhalf Hayden Parker has cemented himself as New Zealand’s best goal kicker over the last two seasons with a record streak of 38 consecutive goal kicks followed by another run of 32 consecutive goal kicks. His astounding 97.4% success rate over the last two years at Super Rugby level makes him the most accurate goal kicker in the world.

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The local Otago product came through the Highlanders system but found his road blocked by Colin Slade and then Lima Sopoaga, spending most of the time as a back-up over a five year period. Unable to get regular game time, Parker moved to the Japan Top League on a short-term deal, before the former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph picked up Parker for the Sunwolves in 2017.

Despite notching 50 caps for the Sunwolves, he has only made 8 appearances in the Top League and appeared just once in 2018 for his new team Kobe Steelers as Dan Carter took over the starting duties. With the Sunwolves set to be axed from 2020, is Parker going to be the most sought after player?

https://twitter.com/AndrewBrogan/status/1111570617449340928

The 28-years-old Kiwi is on a path to become eligible for the Japan national side under World Rugby’s residency laws but with his growing reputation as the world’s best kicker, you would think cashed-up clubs will come calling, particularly in the Premiership where the threat of relegation can turn late-season games into goal-kicking shootouts.

A few corners in New Zealand have also called on Parker to return home, with goal kicking being somewhat of a thorn in the side of New Zealand flyhalves recently. There are potentially three New Zealand franchises that do not have an established flyhalf that could use Parker, including his former hometown team the Highlanders who said goodbye to Lima Sopoaga last year.

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The Chiefs have used Marty McKenzie recently and shown a preference for using Damian McKenzie at fullback, while the Blues have three young talents trying to establish themselves as the starter.

Where he eventually lands is unknown but one thing is for sure, whoever signs Parker is going to have to pay more than they would have 12-months ago, which could rule out a return home to New Zealand.

Jake Gordon re-signs with Rugby Australia:

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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