Parkinson all ready to fire

Matua Parkinson is one of those guys who leaves just as big an impression off the field as he does on it.

Always quick with a cheeky jibe or witty comment, one thing you don't often get from the 30-year-old is a straight answer.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, he's equally skilled at putting his opponents on the back foot and it's one of the reasons why he's received a surprise call-up to make his NPC debut for Bay of Plenty against Otago at Carisbrook today.

"It was a dirty, big surprise to me, to be honest," Parkinson said, with his usual effusiveness.

Having returned from a year's stint playing in Japan with Sanix, where he teamed up with his brother and former Otago centre Reuben, who has also returned to the Bay and is on the reserves bench today, Parkinson hoped he might be picked for the province of his birth.

The initial signs weren't that great, particularly his lack of fitness, but a call from Dean Lonergan to don the gloves for Fight for Life changed all of that.

"The next thing I knew, I was fighting," recalled Parkinson.

"I did loads of training in the seven weeks I had before the fight so I was quietly confident and my trainer was there to talk me through. I had a win and my head was still on my shoulders so I was happy with the outcome."

The outcome, as it turned out, was that the destructive former North Harbour, Blues, Hurricanes and New Zealand Maori tearaway was in better shape than he had ever been to make a return to the NPC and has squeezed Nili Latu, who impressed against the Lions, into the reserves for today's match.

"The coach [Vern Cotter] has said he's going to rotate the side and Nili will start some and I'll start others," Parkinson explained.

 

Parkinson talks in riddles about "classified information", "flying under the radar" and "we're not going to blow smoke up our own tailpipes" when it comes to the Bay's chances and strategies this season.

The reality is, however, that other provinces will be wary of a side that not only made the semifinals but also claimed the Ranfurly Shield last season.

They also beat Otago last season 44-16 at Mt Maunganui, a record scoreline and the first NPC win over the blue and golds since 1981.

Revenge will no doubt be on Otago's mind but so will be the presence of a chaotic figure by the name of Matua Parkinson.

Bay of Plenty - Adrian Cashmore, Apoua Stewart, Hayden Reid, Grant McQuoid, Anthony Tahana, Murray Williams, Charles Hubbard, Colin Bourke, Matua Parkinson, Wayne Ormond (c), Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson, Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Reserves: John Pareanga, James Afoa, Warren Smith, Nili Latu, Garrick Cowley, Reuben Parkinson, Filimone Bolavucu.

Otago - Nick Reily, Hayden Pedersen, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Matt Saunders, Nick Evans, Chris Smylie, Grant Webb, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby (c), Tom Donnelly, Filipo Levi, Chris King, Jason Macdonald, Carl Hoeft. Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Jeremy Aldworth, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, Danny Lee, Ryan Bambry, Jason Shoemark.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY