Parker gets the nod as Jenkins looks for Welsh ‘defiance’

SONNY PARKER has been charged with stopping New Zealand in their tracks after being selected ahead of both Gavin Henson and James Hook to start at inside centre against the rampant All Blacks.

Parker, who was in international retirement less than three weeks ago, impressed head coach Gareth Jenkins with his performances in both centre positions against the Pacific Islands and Canada.

While Henson or Hook would offer wider attacking options, both through the hands and with the boot, “physicality” was the buzz-word at Wales HQ yesterday.