David Ferguson: Dan Parks trusted to control game in the right areas

Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 02:03

SCOTLAND coach Andy Robinson will be accused of taking the conservative option in selecting Dan Parks instead of either Greig Laidlaw or Duncan Weir to steer Scotland into the RBS Six Nations Championship on Saturday.

However, it is all about control. Robinson insisted that Laidlaw had pushed himself closer to selection with his Heineken Cup performances for Edinburgh – and so will come off the bench – but there remain doubts as to whether the new stand-off has the kicking game to control a faster, more intense and physical match against a better defence in the pressure of a Calcutta Cup. Yet.

In trying to understand Robinson’s thinking, I spoke with three coaches involved with Scotland over the past decade and, intriguingly, all spoke of how impressed they had been by Laidlaw, how they liked the look of Duncan Weir coming through and yet how they would each select Parks for this first game due to his experience and control. Coaches like players doing what they ask and knowing that they can.

All and sundry know that Parks does not attack the line and threaten in the same way as Laidlaw, or Weir is beginning to, but we have also witnessed Parks exerting pressure on Test-match defences with his boot, kick Scotland into the opposition 22 with pinpoint accuracy and push the scoreboard with penalties and drop-goals.

Robinson will, however, ask Parks to vary the attack and ask questions of England from hand and foot. He said: “You think of the way we played against Wales two years ago when everyone said we were going to kick the ball, or when Glasgow played against Toulouse, ran Toulouse off the field and won the game out there. Dan was the fly-half on both occasions.

“We’ve got to balance our game in the way that we play. That’s the key for us; to be able to play in different ways, from the carrying of the forwards to that of Sean Lamont and Nick De Luca, to the quick feet of Max [Evans] and Lee Jones. We have to have a balance and Dan will lead that.”

Ruaridh Jackson has become Robinson’s first-choice fly-half, but the hamstring injury from the last England match has ruled him out of the opening two games. In accumulating 66 caps – he is the most-capped Scot starting – Parks has learned what his strengths and weaknesses are, and what he can and cannot get away with in the white-hot atmosphere and mind-numbing pace of a Six Nations match. He understands Scotland’s players and game-plan and Robinson, dealing in percentages, believes Scotland have more chance to beat England with that knowledge than with an on-form, but untried Test performer.

Pinpointing how Scotland would win on Saturday, Parks revealed that knowledge, saying: “Looking at the successes we’ve had in recent times, it’s about being able to play in the right areas of the pitch. It’s also about accumulating points, getting points on the board and staying in front.

“We did that in New Zealand [against England] and for large parts of that game we played I believe a good brand of rugby and did some exciting things, and that’s the key for me: to get into a winning position and keep pushing that forward.

“We don’t want to get into a position where we have to chase the game, but want to be in a position where we’re in control of the match and hopefully the home crowd will help us with that.”

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scotsforward

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:52 PM

People are missing one big point. if Laidlaw is so good then why has Edinburgh done so badly in the Rabodirect? AR's thinking will be to go for a unit that has sometimes performed very wel andis always comforatble at international levell. As a back-upfinal twenty minute option he has the half-back unit that has done so well in the big games of HC. But don't go thinking Laidlaw at 10 is a no brainer.

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13

Blitzen

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:25 PM

So Dan Parks (with 66 caps gained under 3 different coaches) has no merits whatsoever. Seems a little strange. As a regular Edinburgh supporter I really want to see Laidlaw get his chance but I think that Robinson has called this one right. Remember the year before last Parks didn't even make the squad for the first game and then was our player of the tournament over the next 4 games. For all that everyone likes to knock Dan's courage in the tackle etc I think that he demonstrates his strength of character putting up with all of the brickbats that come his way. Laidlaw and Blair will undoubtably get on in the second half, hopefully with Scotland in the box seat. Get behind the team that starts.

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ronburgendy

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:18 PM

Robinson will, however, ask Parks to vary the attack and ask questions of England from hand and foot. He said: “You think of the way we played against Wales two years ago when everyone said we were going to kick the ball, or when Glasgow played against Toulouse, ran Toulouse off the field and won the game out there. Dan was the fly-half on both occasions" Well done Andy. One example from 66 International caps. What has he done in the other 65? Parks only cares about scoring drop goals and penalties so he can claim he was why the team won and then try and throw it back in our faces. Prime example...world cup v Argentina when instead of going wide when we had an overlap he takes the drop goal for himself. Selfish and we ended up losing.

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11

ronburgendy

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:10 PM

“Looking at the successes we’ve had in recent times, it’s about being able to play in the right areas of the pitch. It’s also about accumulating points, getting points on the board and staying in front. We did that in New Zealand [against England] and for large parts of that game we played I believe a good brand of rugby and did some exciting things, and that’s the key for me: to get into a winning position and keep pushing that forward." Have I read this correct or has that mid afternoon whisky caught up with me? What success have we had in recent times? When have we played a exciting brand of rugby with Parks at 10? What Parks does is slow down the ball and allowing the defence to (a) when we attack with backs play a drift defence, and (b) when he kicks, counter attack by their wings and fullback. Parks doesn't control any games for Cardiff, he hinders them. At Murrayfield recently against Edinburgh he was awful and Laidlaw played him off the park. Also I don't know where this theory has come from that Laidlaw cannot kick or territory but Parks is someone an expert. You don't qualify like Edinburgh as 3rd placed seeds with a one dimensional stand-off. The problem is AR doesn't care about developing Scottish rugby. He only cares about keeping his job past this 6 Nations so he can coach the Lions next year. It's short sightedness and will ultimately be his downfall.

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voice of reason

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:53 PM

Parks can only play one way. This stuff about "control the game in the right areas" is a euphamism for the forwards winning the ball and giving it to Dan who hoofs it down field and back to the opposition. We ought to be blooding Weir at this level now, so he has enough experience of it when the next RWC comes along. Clearly though, the in-form 10 in Scotland is Laidlaw. Why we are not giving him the chance in a blue jersey is utterly mystifying. Anybody hazard a guess on how many tries we will score on Saturday?

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salad cream or mayo?

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:57 AM

I think we should all be praying for a repeat of '99 when Hodge got injured early in the first match and Toonie was moved to 10. The rest is history. Ross Ford can prove himself to be an excellent captain by taking a crash ball off sh1te bag Parks early on, running "accidentally" straight into him, and hopefully injuring him for the rest of the season. I'm sure Dan is a nice lad and doesn't dseve this hounding, so he should do himself a favour and retire from international rugby.

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Agile_David

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:38 AM

I've said it before, Robinson lacks the b***s to pick Greig because this would mean he made a mistake not taking him to NZ so this is as good as it will get however I fully expect Greig to start at ten after this game after a good performance from the bench on Saturday, thus making it easier and less embarressing for Robinson to pick him! A bigger and better man would have just started him on Saturday but I am just delighted that Laidlaw is looking very close to starting his Scotland career and he will do Jed very very proud!

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Matski

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:08 AM

Piff paff. Anyone who has seen Laidlaw play in the high pressure matches of this season knows he's up to the task. Robinson's cherry picking a couple of games, the most recent from two or three years past and entirely overlooking current form. Another trick that has been missed is that this selection may lessen the strength of the 16th player - us. Imagine the buzz around Murrayfield if we all felt Scotland were finally progressing into a more dynamic game that might actually involve some tries with Laidlaw pulling the strings. Sure the atmosphere will still be good, but I can't help feeling that this selection will subdue the excitement of the crowd to some extent.

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6

Middyman

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:58 AM

'sigh'

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5

scunnered

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:36 AM

Aargh!!!

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4

Dourauldscot

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:34 AM

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got.” (low scores, uninspiring rugby, ocassional crack-papering wins, poor attendances) Why not start BlairLaidlaw and give us a chance of releasing what is, for once, an exciting looking backline. Why not go out and try to score some tries and then have Parks there for if we need to close out the game or if plan A doesn't work? I think Scottish rugby could do with a 34-35 loss more than it could with a 9-6 win. But of course, I'd take a 48-47 Edinburgh style win over either. Crossing the line is what I want to see this year, almost to the detriment of anything else. We already know that we can defend if we have to. Learn to score tries and build toward 2015. Just think that Dan ain't the man for that. I agree that Robinson has missed a golden oppertunity and if this game is lost it could start a downward slide for him....

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salad cream or mayo?

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:58 AM

Andy, get your head out of your arse. You're popularity will drop every time you pick this chump.

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RossM

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 06:36 AM

AR is missing a great opportunity. England have the most inexperienced team on record for this weekends game. Surely the opportunity to blood a new stand off. If it isnt at home when does he pick Laidlaw or Weir - away to Wales or Ireland? Home to France? Not easy games - and neither will Italy away.

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braveheart64

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:47 AM

Although we have had some success against England at Murrayfield in recent years our wins have normally been drab affairs won with mossy's boots.Can't actually remember the last time we scored a try at Murrayfield in a Calcutta Cup game - surely it wasn't Hodge in 2000?? The fact that parks has been selected ahead of Laidlaw suggests that if we do win it will be without any tries being scored.There is probably nobody that polarises opinion like parks does - I think that Robinson has missed an opportunity here.Its the first game and we are home on a ground that laidlaw is familiar with and although England will be a tough nut to crack they have lost some key personel and i would have loved to see what laidlaw can do

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