Sonny Parker will make his 100th competitive appearance for the Ospreys when he takes to the field at Thomond Park on Friday evening for the final game of the season against Munster.
Sonny Parker will make his 100th competitive appearance for the Ospreys when he takes to the field at Thomond Park on Friday evening for the final game of the season against Munster.
31 year-old Parker is just the eighth Ospreys to reach a century of appearances, and he follows on from current team-mates Paul James (124), Adam Jones (112), Jonathan Thomas (106), Duncan Jones (106) and Shane Williams (102) in hitting the landmark, along with former Ospreys Barry Williams (101) and Shaun Connor (100). The Welsh international centre also sits third in the Ospreys all-time try-scoring list with 23.
He arrived in the region during the summer of 2004 from Celtic Warriors, making his debut off the bench at St Helen's in the opening Celtic League game of the season against Munster, the same side that he now completes the 100 against.
The native New Zealander first arrived in Wales in 1999, signing for Pontypridd from Italian side Viadana. He made his international debut in the red of Wales three years later after qualifying through residency and has gone on to gain 31 caps, scoring six tries for his adopted country. He has played in the last two Rugby World Cup's, as well as featuring in three games during the 2008 Grand Slam.
Speaking ahead of his 100th appearance, Sonny said:
"â¬ÅIt's a real achievement to reach 100 appearances, and I'm honoured to be on a list alongside some true Ospreys who have been great servants to the region. I've been an Osprey for five years now, I'm really happy here and after signing up for another three years I'm excited about what is in store for us as a group next season.
"â¬ÅThe coaching team here have shown tremendous faith in me during my time as an Osprey, from Lyn Jones who was a big influence, Sean and Jonathan who are Ospreys through and through, and now with Scott Johnson here. I want to add to my 100 appearances over the coming seasons and I want to repay the faith that has been shown in me over the next few seasons by helping to bring more success to the region."â¬Â