Italian great Parisse
Italian great Parisse delays retirement with World Cup in mind
When it comes to retirement, Italian rugby legend Sergio Parisse might easily be taking inspiration from another consummate professional, Frank Sinatra.
Ol’ Blue Eyes first retired in 1971 but came back to play another thousand concerts before his voice finally demanded that he rest up in the easy chair.
Similarly Argentina-born Parisse, who turns 39 in September, has announced he would retire only to row back on it.
Thus the Toulon back-rower is gearing up once more for the club’s Top 14 season-opener against Bayonne on Saturday.
It will be Parisse’s 20th season of top level rugby -– his 18th in the Top 14 –- and one that he hopes may even allow him to bow out of the game playing for Italy in the 2023 World Cup.
Rewind to the last Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 and the stage was set for Parisse, capped 142 times since making his international debut as an 18-year-old in 2002, to bring down the final curtain against New Zealand.
Along came Typhoon Hagibis which caused the match to be cancelled, leaving Parisse with some unfinished business.
Retirement was pushed back only for the pandemic to intervene, since when he has been surplus to Italian requirements. But the candle still burns bright.
“I have never closed the door to the Italian team .
“To be in the national team, you have to play for a club. If I manage to play well, I will give myself a chance of being called up to the Italy team. And if the coach calls me, I’ll be there. But nothing is decided yet.
“If you call up a 39-year-old player, that player must be up to it. So the priority is to perform well with the club.”
Italy’s first game at next year’s World Cup against Namibia is on September 9, three days before Parisse turns 40.
