A SHAME that the longest international career of the 21st century should have been condemned to the most anti-climactic of finishes by World Rugby’s refusal to reschedule Italy’s tie against New Zealand after Typhoon Hagibis.
It denied Sergio Parisse a 143rd Test match and a final farewell from the international arena more than 17 years after his debut, against the All Blacks in Hamilton. As a reminder that every cloud has a silver lining, it can also be said that the cancellation saved him from another 80 minutes’ punishment.
Parisse never failed to give Italy everything ...