Search icon

Rugby

01st Oct 2015

Our good friend and foe Sergio: An a-Parisse-ation

Crazy 8

Mikey Stafford

It’s a sign of serious affection when fans are delighted to see an opposing team’s best player return to fitness.

Joe Schmidt’s men might disagree, but we’re delighted to see Sergio Parisse back in training and (hopefully) fit to face Ireland in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

It would be a crying shame if a calf haemotoma kept arguably the greatest No8 in the history of European rugby out of this World Cup – at 32 we cannot be sure that the 113-Test veteran will be around come Japan in 2019.

Of course this is all up for review if the Stade Francais captain wrecks our World Cup dreams, but until that day here are a bunch of reasons why we love Sergio Parisse.

He’s the closest thing to a one-man team you can get in Test rugby

He really loves a large steak

https://instagram.com/p/78QT3NrbgE/?taken-by=sergioparisse

https://instagram.com/p/7qWJ0KrbtR/?taken-by=sergioparisse

If you’re gonna eat big chunks of meat, you’re gonna need a big plate

https://instagram.com/p/341IU_Lbg3/

He can do this, against the three-time European champions

small parisse pass

He leaves the autobiographies of famed world leaders scattered around the gaff

https://instagram.com/p/7f6S67rbor/?taken-by=sergioparisse

Real men wear pink

LONDON - JANUARY 20: Julien Arias (R) of Stade Francais is congratulated by teammate Sergio Parisse (L) after scoring his team's second try during the Heineken Cup pool 3 match between Harlequins and Stade Francais at the Twickenham Stoop on January 20, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

BATH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Sergio Parisse of Stade Francais runs with the ball during the Heineken Cup match between Bath and Stade Francais at the Recreation Ground on October 18, 2009 in Bath, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Heineken Cup 11/10/2008 Ulster vs Stade Francais Ulster's Stephen Ferris and Sergio Parisse of Stade Francais Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan *** Local Caption ***

He takes his daughter on a tour of London, on the day Italy play Canada

https://instagram.com/p/8GF4n1LbkW/?taken-by=sergioparisse

No matter how often he is asked, Jamie Heaslip always has something nice to say about him.

Amlin Cup Final Captain's Photocall, RDS, Dublin 16/5/2013 Stade Francais captain Sergio Parisse and Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip with the Amlin Cup Trophy Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Before this year’s Six Nations clash

“On a personal level, I can’t wait to go up against Sergio Parisse next week because he has been, for a number of years now, one of the best No.8s in the world. “He is a massive leader for them, the core of the team – and he’s a great bloke off the pitch. You always want to pit yourself against players like that. “

Before 2013 Six Nations clash

“He’s an amazing player and he’s an awfully nice guy as well off the field, so he’s an all-round good guy. It probably makes it even more enjoyable, going up against a guy like that, who you’re able to talk to after the game about the game.”

Before 2013 Challenge Cup final

“He’s a great player. I can only say high words about him. The leadership he shows for Stade and Italy is clear. It is a huge challenge, for me, personally, and the back row to face Sergio and his back row unit.”

Even when praising Kieran Reid

“In my book, I would put him and Sergio as the best eights out there and he is showing some incredible form right now.”

He and room-mate Martin Castrogiovanni seem like a good value…

https://instagram.com/p/6njiKyLbh-/?taken-by=sergioparisse

… And are the best anthem singers since Nadia Forde

RBS 6 Nations Championship 14/2/2015 England vs Italy Italy's Sergio Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni, Andrea Masi and Matias Aguero Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama

RBS 6 Nations Championship 9/2/2014 Italy Lorenzo Cittadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse during the National anthems Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

RBS Six Nations Championship, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland 9/2/2013 Scotland vs Italy Italy's Andrea Masi, Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse sing the national anthem Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

2011 Rugby World Cup 2/10/2011 Italy Sergio Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni and Luciano Orquera Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

ROME, ITALY - MARCH 12: Gonzalo Canale, Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse sing during the national anthems during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and France at the Stadio Flaminio on March 12, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The man loves rehabbing

https://instagram.com/p/8ITmLcrbkx/?taken-by=sergioparisse

https://instagram.com/p/72vKWBLbqc/?taken-by=sergioparisse

https://instagram.com/p/77u4qOLbku/?taken-by=sergioparisse

Peter Stringer always insisted he be treated the same on the field, despite his size, Parisse obliged. Obliged him to the back of the head.

stringer scrap

He loves winning

RBS Six Nations Championshp 16/3/2013 Italy vs Ireland Italy's Sergio Parisse celebrates as his side win a late penalty Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

ROME, ITALY - MARCH 12: Italian captain Sergio Parisse celebrates victory at the final whistle during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and France at the Stadio Flaminio on March 12, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

RBS 6 Nations Championship, Murrayfield, Scotland 28/2/2015 Scotland vs Italy Italy's Sergio Parisse kisses his partner after the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

And hates losing

RBS 6 Nations Championship 22/2/2014 Italy A dejected Sergio Parisse of Italy after the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

RBS 6 Nations Championship Post Match Press Conference, Stadio Olimpico, Rome 22/2/2014 Italy vs Scotland Italy's Sergio Parisse Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

He takes the onset of baldness in his stride

Italy Rugby Squad Press Conference, 1/2/2008 Captain Sergio Parisse Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer INPHO_04ItalyPC

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Sergio Parisse of Italy celebtates after beating Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield stadium on February 28, 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

For all these reasons and more, we’re big fans of Parisse. Who cares if he has only 31 of 113 Tests? As long as number 32 doesn’t come on Sunday we will keep a fond place in our heart for the Italy captain.