Speaking on the All Blacks podcast, Parsons said it is the influence of experienced players like Faiane who have allowed the younger members of the squad to blossom and express themselves on the park.
“He’s a leader of men,” Parsons said of Faiane. “He really connects well with everyone in the group, and really drives those young men to be better.”
With the Blues sitting atop the Invesec Super Rugby Aotearoa ladder after three rounds, Parsons singled out Faiane as a catalyst in their stunning revival.
“He’s like our unsung hero, he doesn’t get all the spotlight or the headlines but he’s the guy that makes the extra tackles, he’s always the midfielder that splits and sprints to the other side of the field, it’s those little things that younger players learn from and feed off.”
Parsons said Faiane’s leadership ability was on display in 2018 when he led Auckland to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership title and it is great to see him having a strong influence at Super Rugby level.
“Those young boys are going well but they have some strong leaders in our group who are pointing them in the right direction,” Parsons said.
The Blues have a bye this weekend and will be back in action in round five in a blockbuster clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch
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