The Hadleigh Parkes interview: My future and why I back Wayne Pivac to turn things around

Hadleigh Parkes says he hasn't considered a return to Wales yet amid speculation he will soon be looking for a new club.

The 29-cap centre won his second title with Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights on the weekend, ensuring he remained on the winning side in all of his matches in Japan to date. However, with South African centre Damian de Allende linked with a return to Japan Rugby League One champions Wild Knights, it would appear Parkes will be heading elsewhere.

Moving to another Japanese club would seem the likeliest option, but returns to the country of his birth, New Zealand, or the country that he represented at Test level between 2017 and 2020, Wales, have yet to be ruled out completely. But, Parkes has poured some cold water on the notion that he could be returning to the northern hemisphere as he admitted things were far from being decided.

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"Who knows," said the 34-year-old when asked about his future. "Who knows at this stage. I'm just cruising along, enjoying the off-season and we'll sort that out later.

"No, I haven't (had any contact from Wales) and I haven't considered it actually. If it's an option, then maybe, but I've enjoyed it over here so we'll see."

When asked about a return to New Zealand, it was a similar answer, with Parkes adding: "Maybe, but not so much to be honest. My wife and I are still enjoying living overseas.

"We've been very fortunate with the places we've been able to get to and the career that we've had. It's been a privilege to be playing at Panasonic and over in Wales as well.

"It's a real honour to get over there. I haven't really thought about going back to New Zealand. It's not come across my