The day World Rugby announced that former 142-times capped skipper Sergio Parisse, an all-time great, joined Planet Rugby exclusively, to discuss the honor of the award and also his secret admiration for the way South Africa are raising the bar in all aspects of Test rugby.

Hall of Fame

“First of all, I can’t describe what an honor this is and how much it means to me. John Eales contacted me a few months ago to tell me that they would be inducting me and that they would announce it in November, so it was hard to keep the news a secret! Parisse confessed.

“All the names on that list – you feel like you’ve joined the rugby gods – everyone’s a champion, and then there’s little old me who has lost the most matches in Test history ” he joked.

“But it was always how I played the game that mattered to me. Being different, changing perceptions of the eighth man position and approaching it in a way that challenges the opposition and the role itself. I wanted to be a striker known for a skill-based perspective in how I approach my game and I think I managed to achieve that.

“Besides that, consistency and quality were my goals. Did I achieve all this? It’s not for me to say. “I haven’t won many test matches but I think I’ve gained the respect of my opponents and the rugby fans, and that means a lot to me,” he confirmed.

Sergio Parisse will become the first-ever Italian in the World Rugby Hall of Fame with five new members revealed

ʟᴇɢɢᴇɴᴅᴀ ɪɴ ᴍᴀɢʟɪᴀ ᴀᴢᴢᴜʀʀᴀ

Sérgio #Paris is the first Italian inserted into the Hall of Fame of @WorldRugby #insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/zTeSxY6XNr

– Italrugby (@Federugby) November 20, 2024

Pushing the limits

“As a coach now, I enjoy bringing my perspective and thoughts to the TOP14 and beyond. I have learned from so many people during my career and, like everyone else in life, even today, after 142 caps and 23 years in football’s elite, I learn every day.

“Rugby is in a very interesting situation,” he observed. “I have to admit my admiration for the Springboks and the way they push the boundaries of sport in such a positive way.

“They are an immensely complete team and what always strikes me is that they are so calm and collected, no matter what.

“They have an ability to cope – no matter what you throw at them, they will normally find a way to deal with it. They are not unbeatable – Argentina proved that in the Rugby Championship – but to beat them there is so much to contend with.

“From a coach’s point of view, you look at the opposition’s weaknesses and areas where you can exploit an advantage, then you also look at the strengths and plan how to overcome them. With most teams it’s pretty obvious to work in these areas, but with the Boks it’s even more difficult because they are incredibly complete.

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Focus key

“To beat them, you have to be perfect in every aspect. If you focus on melees, they will beat you in the air. Focus on attacking wide and they will attack you in the middle as soon as they have a moment in transition,” Parisse continued.

“And every tackle MUST hold.” Their post-contact counters are phenomenal. In the middle of the field, they will use power and kicking to soften up their opponents. AS is not an extremely structured team that manages the ball in phase waves in the traditional way. What they do is use nine or ten forwards one after the other until your defensive line runs out of numbers. They probably win 70% of the collisions in the game, which reduces defensive numbers as players are out of the play, forced to double tackle and, therefore, lose bodies in the line.

“Then they attack in straight lines or with kicks at a huge pace from their back three. This season we’ve seen them use their backs in the widest channels, and especially with the Escorts Law changing aerial dynamics, it’s been super effective for them – and they have the athletes to do it comfortably .

Change the threat

“There are other teams that can fit different aspects; Argentina’s bottom line is just as big as the Boks and just as good. The All Blacks’ scrum isn’t far behind South Africa’s, but the rest of their game lags behind. France have skill levels and running backs to match, but cannot maintain the intensity for 80 minutes like the Boks can.

“So you find yourself beating them in one area and losing in four others! Their tour has been like a big green machine literally plowing through everything that comes their way and I fear for Wales this weekend as we could see a big score against them if things go wrong.

“I mentioned their calmness; At the helm of their ship is Rassie, and he has the ability to build confidence in all around him. Listen when he talks to the players: they hang on every word. He weaponized their emotions and the multicultural nation of South Africa as a country, and then he gives them such clarity on their mission and underlines the weight of expectations that their jersey represents. Rassie is a rugby graduate and the bond he creates within the team is truly remarkable.

“For a coach like me, even though I’m just at the beginning of my journey in this aspect, I’m learning so much from watching these guys and talking to their players.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic that at a time when I’m honored in sport by my award, that the game is, on the field, in such healthy conditions and I hope that the Boks, with others, will continue to raise the bar of innovation, intellect and passion that mean so much to me during my playing career,” concluded Parisse.

LEARN MORE: ‘Sorry Pieter-Steph du Toit’ – Springbok greats choose their World Rugby player of the year in a ‘very difficult’ decision