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May 21, 2004

Can Dan be the Man?

Posted by Editor on May 21, 2004 05:10 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Things have moved quickly for Dan Parks since he arrived from Australia
In June's Rugby World magazine, Richard Bath talks to Dan Parks about his first season in Scottish rugby and looks ahead to what the future holds.

Bath also talks to Sean Lineen, Dan's coach at Glasgow and like the fly-half, a player who left his country of birth for a career in Scotland.

"It's been a whirlwind since I arrived," says Dan. "There have been times when it's been frustrating and disappointing at Glasgow because one week we're off, but then I get involved with the Scotland squad which was a huge buzz. To get involved with the whole Six Nations scenario was amazing. Stepping out onto that pitch for my first start against Irelend at Lansdowne Road was something I'll never forget.

"When you come over here you know at the back of your mind that things can happen, but for it to happen so quickly and get four caps in my first season is amazing."

Sean Lineen thinks Dan's big strength lies in his ability to get quick, quality ball to his backs. "Dan's a natural ball-player - he's also good at tennis and golf. That nartural ability on the ball is important because it's the reason why he has such a good kicking game," says Sean.

"He also has the ability to shape a game and control the ball, which is exactly what Scotland need from him right now. When he takes the ball, he takes it moving forward, and because he has quick hands and a decent pass rather than the floaty thing he used to have, he is a good distributor who gets the whole backline moving.

"The tour to Australia and the Test against Samoa will be a very testing time for him this early in his career. They'll target him as they targetted me when I went back to New Zealand with Scotland...that's when we'll see what Dan's really made of."

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