Old Boy Hayden Parker sets NZ Super points record

By Steve Hepburn - ODT | Posted: Monday May 14, 2018

Hayden Parker became the highest-scoring New Zealander in a single Super Rugby match — but it was not for a New Zealand team.

Parker, who picked up a hamstring injury earlier in the season, helped himself to 36 points in the Sunwolves’ 63-28 win over the Reds in Tokyo on Saturday.

Parker, who moved to the Sunwolves after injuries got in his way while playing for the Highlanders, helped himself to seven penalties, five conversions and a try as the Sunwolves ran all over the Australian side.

Parker did not miss a shot at goal and also scored a try following a nice ball from fellow New Zealand back Michael Little.

The first five-eighth scored 24 points in the first half and added another 12 in the second half.

The upset win was the first of the season for the Sunwolves.

The NZ Rugby Almanack said the highest points tally in a match for a New Zealand player in the Super Rugby competition was by Stephen Donald, when he scored 32 points for the Chiefs against the Lions in 2010. Ben Blair scored 28 points for the Highlanders against the Sharks in 2005.

The highest individual number of points scored in a game in Super Rugby is 50, by Sharks fullback Gavin Lawless against the Highlanders in 1997.

Parker (27) has signed to play for Kobe Steelers in Japan for the coming season.