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Tue 17 Mar 2015 | 08:54
Inspirational leader Sergio Parisse on the Art of Number Eight

17
Comments

Roman history is awash with great leaders. Constantine, Caesar, Agrippa… and now Parisse. What separates a good team from the great? When do players become legends? This fascinating video gives us an insight into one of world rugby’s most talented players, Italian captain Sergio Parisse, and the work he puts in behind the scenes.

A stand-out performer in the Italian team since his debut as an 18 year old back in 2002, Sergio Parisse has been instrumental in the Azzurri’s progression to the top tier of International Rugby.  

With 112 caps, Parisse is Italy's longest serving player, passing previous skipper Marco Bortolami. He also holds the less popular Italian record of most Wooden Spoons.

The former Stade Francais skipper has not had the easiest times on the world stage, with just 31 wins, 80 losses and a single draw, the numbers do not do a player of his stature justice. A man of few words off the field (and sometimes the wrong ones on it), he leads by example.

Never one to shy away from responsibility, when push comes to shove, Parisse is the first to put a hand up and put Italy on the front foot. One of the first of the ‘new breed’ of back row, as he explains in the video, the game is bigger than any one position.

Whether it means taking the ball into contact, calling first receiver, or putting boot to ball, it is vital to make the right decision and have the skills to do it successfully. The extra hours put in practising the basics as well as the playbook really do make the difference.  

Boosted by the confidence of a win over Scotland, and two wins over France in the last 4 years, things are looking up for Parisse's troops. Unfortunately with injuries in the warm-up and a poor kicking display, Sunday's game didn't quite go to plan, with a heavy defeat to Philippe Saint-André's men.

Win or lose though, 'Serg' remains a hero to many and if nothing else, the images of full time at Murrayfield will live on for many years to come. This video from Gillette World Sport takes us into the mindset of one of the most respected players in rugby today.

Posted By: 10stonenumber10

17 Comments

  • drg
    9:43 PM 19/03/2015

    I totally agree, again it's falling into the stereotypes - fat guys are props, tall guys are locks, etc.

  • danknapp
    9:31 AM 19/03/2015

    Shame. It'd be nice to think that you got a little something-something.

  • rugbydump
    9:16 PM 18/03/2015

    Generally, no. It's just that there are a helluva lot of them coming out the woodwork, and occasionally they are pretty good. This falls into the latter category, in my opinion anyway.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:50 PM 18/03/2015

    better than blaming it on the Illuminati.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:47 PM 18/03/2015

    He has scored a drop goal in both the Heineken Cup and 6 Nations. Admittedly, the action was not the smoothest, then again people 6ft5+ rarely look coordinated when putting boot to ball.

    All credit to Bergamasco (blonde perm, not the part time scrum half) putting his hand up for the kicking tee a few years ago... though again I feel enthusiasm overtook execution. There was no deft or subtlety to the touch.

    Odd for a nation that produces some of the greatest 11-a-side heroes, nobody can strike a ball cleanly!

  • danknapp
    3:00 PM 18/03/2015

    If you want a mathematical explanation, which I'm sure we all do, it's largely due to the fact that no team or player can stay on top form/uninjured forever. A great player will have videos made about them because they are playing really well, but maintaining that level of excellence is impossible most of the time. Therefore there tends to be a correlation between heightened publicity and a drop in form. In the United States I believe it has been named the 'Sports Illustrated effect'.

    *Straightens glasses, runs off to play D&D*

    #BornToNerd #ItsAmazingI'mMarried

  • danknapp
    2:10 PM 18/03/2015

    The man would have been a terrifying centurian back in the day. I'm a big fan of his attitude on the pitch and his skill levels. At the same time, we have seen a few promotional videos of late, so I hope Mr Dump is getting some money for them.

  • danknapp
    2:07 PM 18/03/2015

    Hi kevini89. Why use the word 'gay' in a negative sense? I've yet to watch the video, but I'm assuming I'm going to see Parisse engaging in a sexual act with another man.

    On the other hand, you might just mean 'bad' or 'cheesy'. In which case you might want to expand your vocabulary, because 'gay' doesn't mean bad. In fact, it can mean a range of things, but none of those means bad.

    I'm now going to watch this video and will promptly apologise if it contains scenes of homosexual activity.

  • finedisregard
    2:02 PM 18/03/2015

    Once after practice we had a contest for placekicking and in general the forwards were better than the backs. You're right, why not?

  • stroudos
    11:42 AM 18/03/2015

    Here's an idea.

    Bearing in mind how woeful Italy's place kicking is - and has been for a very long time - why doesn't the all-round total footballer and artist (and Captain) have a crack at it?

    We've seen his kicking from hand (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-DJ8zyAZQ) and I think you can see from this video that he's clearly got "tekkers".

    Apart from John Eales I can't think of another forward who's regularly taken place kicks. My question is why not? It's not as if being small or faster at running immediately qualifies you as a good goal-kicker. And it's nearly always the flyhalf too - OK so he might be more in the zone for it as he's kicking the ball out of hand more than most other players during the game, but that's actually quite a different skill.

    If, for example in the case of Haimona, your flyhalf looks like he's kicking three pounds of haggis (RIP Bill), then why not get someone with all-round footballing skill and insane ability to have a go.

    That someone is Sergio Parisse and I demand he is given goal-kicking responsibility immediately. (I assume Jacques Brunel does come here for his team selection tactics?)

  • stroudos
    11:24 AM 18/03/2015

    I am wondering though if these videos are cursed. At least the timing often seems unfortunate.

    There was that one on Jonny May just before the six nations started. Then he didn't play very well and got dropped.

    Jonathan Sexton's and Paul O'Connell's were both posted to Rugbydump shortly before Ireland's first loss in months.

    Italy have struggled as always in the tourny but it's unlucky that this video gets published in the wake of their biggest loss of the competition, getting nilled int he process.

    There was even that series on what a nice bloke Jamie Roberts a few years ago (sorry this may be one for the RD veterans). Didn't he get injured for quite a while very soon after that?

    Anyway, Mr Dump - basically what I'm saying is if anyone asks you to post one of these videos on George Ford, just bloody don't do it. Thanks! :)

  • stroudos
    11:16 AM 18/03/2015

    What an apt title - he really has made it an art form hasn't he?

  • 10stonenumber10
    10:10 AM 18/03/2015

    Different teams bring a different kind of game. A team player for Stade Francais, One-Man-Army for Italy.

    Stick to dolls kevini89, I'm sure Anne Summers has something for you to play with while you watch big men grapple with each other.

  • pipo
    3:10 AM 18/03/2015

    Un grande.

  • 2:19 AM 18/03/2015

    Interesting video, not surprised by his mentality, he is often trying stuff on the field, which at times I'm sure annoys his coaches, but what do u do? He's Italy's greatest player ever.

  • kevini89
    1:46 AM 18/03/2015

    last comment was before seeing the video, man, its a freaking speech from the guy, god sake.

  • kevini89
    1:42 AM 18/03/2015

    whats up with all these gay(nothing against gay pep) videos for "iconic" players, I mean, have you ever seen how lame is parisse when playing for stade france?
    get me some super rugby big hits before I start playing with dolls too.

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