Hadleigh Parkes will leave Welsh rugby after picking his all-star team from a career which has seen him appear for three Super Rugby franchises before crowning it with Wales.
The centre appeared for the Auckland-based Blues, the Kings in South Africa and the Hurricanes back in his native New Zealand before following now Wales coach Wayne Pivac to the Scarlets.
Parkes, whose departure from the west Wales region was confirmed a few days ago with a club in Japan expected to be the next stop on his rugby odyssey, became a mainstay of the Wales midfield under former coach Warren Gatland.
The 32-year-old had previously picked a dream Wales XV but has now named the best players he’s played alongside or faced.
Four of the current Wales team have made both line-ups in the shape of Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric.
Outside-centre Davies is in ahead of All Blacks great Conrad Smith, while hooker Owens was picked ahead of Dane Coles.
Tipuric was preferred by Parkes to the likes of Richie McCaw, David Pocock, Sam Warburton and current world player of the year Pieter Steph du Toit.
Outlining the reasons for choosing the Ospreys captain, the 29-times capped midfielder said: “Not the biggest but great skill-set and never backs down for anyone. Great defensively, wins key turnovers and is so quick he often runs down backs. Top bloke.”
Three players who didn’t make Parkes’ Welsh dream XV, which included Shane Williams, Scott Quinnell and Neil Jenkins, are in the seven from Wales he named in The Rugby Paper.
Gareth Anscombe is at outside-half ahead of the likes of All Blacks ace Beauden Barrett and Welsh pair Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell, who both had praise from Parkes.
He said: “I’ve been playing with and against Gareth for 10 years. Deceptively quick, he’s a big attacking threat and kicks really well.”
Lethal finisher Josh Adams, who was top try-scorer at last year’s World Cup in Japan, is on the left wing.
“What’s he done over the last two years has been outstanding. A hard runner, very quick and good defensively. Give him a couple of metres, he’s gone,” said Parkes.
And Josh Navidi is at No.8 despite Parkes having lined up with or against specialists Kieran Read, Taulupe Faletau, Duane Vermuelen and Sergio Parisse over the years.
“Gives Wales huge go-forward. Great defensively and he’s been outstanding for Wales while I’ve been involved,” stressed the 32-year-old.
Charlew Piutau, who turned his back on international rugby with New Zealand, edged out Leigh Halfpenny at full-back while Liam Williams also got a mention as a candidate for right wing.
HADLEIGH PARKES’ BEST WORLD XV
Charles Piutau; Joe Rokocoko (both New Zealand), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand), Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe (Wales), Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock (New Zealand), Ken Owens (Wales), Charlie Faumuina, Ali Willams (New Zealand), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi (Wales).
