Parker will be 32 in August and he will reach the same number in international caps with just one appearance on tour, but, after a brief time in self induced retirement in 2006, he says he is more in love with the game than ever.
Injury has ruled him out of international contention for much of this season, but he sees this latest call-up as a real opportunity to get himself back in the reckoning as well as a chance to lend his experience to some of Wales' stars of the future.
"When Sean Holley rang me at around 10.30pm on Friday I was in holiday mode and expecting a lie-in the following morning, but the coaches had legislated for every eventuality and I knew the call-up could come and I was packed and ready to go within the hour," said the Ospreys centre speaking today from the sunny surroundings of the Wales team hotel in Toronto.
"I was surprised to be on standby and equally surprised when I was actually called in because I have been out of contention for much of the season.
"I'm loving my rugby more than ever, I've been playing well for the Ospreys, but you have to be up there all the time and consistent if you want to be selected at international level.
"But one thing I've learned during my time in the game is that you have to seize these moments and turn them into opportunities.
"I've been unavailable for much of this season, but you never lose hope of coming back and I have a chance now to be involved on this tour and put my hand up for next season too.
"We have got some good youngsters on this tour and as one of the senior guys I think I have a responsibility to help bring them through. Obviously I want to play myself, but I also hope the likes of Jonathan Spratt and Jonathan Davies get an opportunity too.
"Personally this is a first time for me in Canada and the US, but I know what touring is all about and you have to make sure you enjoy every second of it.
"At international level everything is done for you and you are free to concentrate on your rugby. Having retired once myself, which I regretted afterwards, I know that you only really have a short time in a sporting career and you have make sure you take in all the experiences.
"I won't be retiring again anytime soon, I've just signed a new three year contract at the Ospreys and I want to make sure I keep myself fit and at the top of my game and hopefully get some more international caps under my belt.
"One day my body will tell me it is time to finish but at the moment I'm still very much in love with the game and everything that comes with it and I never want it to end."
Newsroom
Parker plans to sieze opportunity with Wales
24 May 2009 21:51pm
By
Sonny Parker admits he was surprised when he got the late night, last-minute call to join Wales' summer tour of Canada and USA last Friday, but he couldn't have been more elated.
WRU TV
25 Jul 14
With just a week to go before Wales kick off their Rugby Women's World Cup campaign against hosts France in Paris, head coach Rhys Edwards and flanker Sioned Harries are looking ahead to the tournament with optimism.
24 Jul 14
After two years in the international wilderness, Adi Taviner is hoping to make up for lost time when she takes part in her second Women's Rugby World Cup which kicks off in Paris next Friday where Wales take on hosts, France.
23 Jul 14
Former Dragons winger Will Harries is hoping to put himself in the shop window for a new club when he represents Wales Sevens in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this weekend.
22 Jul 14
Cardiff Met's Luke O'Brien and Ebbw Vale's Keir Hughes look ahead to their first round clash of the Foster's National Sevens being held at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 24 August.
22 Jul 14
Wales Sevens duo Lee Williams and skipper Adam Thomas give their thoughts looking ahead to this week's Commonwealth Games competition being staged in Glasgow.
17 Jul 14
The WRU's Women and Girls legacy events - #TRY OUR GAME have proved popular this week with current players and newcomers to the game learning new skills and picking up tips from national squad players.
15 Jul 14
The Wales Sevens squad took part in a training session with a difference - alongside the Welsh netball team. Both squads are preparing for the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow.
14 Jul 14
We caught up with Shona and Ellie from the Wales women team ahead of the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Paris next month at a recent women's training session to encourage and promote more women and girls to try their hand at rugby. #tryourgame
11 Jul 14
Surprise Wales Sevens selection Luke Treharne talks about his hopes for the rapidly approaching Commonwealth Games being staged in Glasgow.
08 Jul 14
Neath take on Carmarthen Quins in the first round of this year's Foster's Sevens, which will be held at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 24 August.
06 Jul 14
The Wales Sevens squad to compete in Glasgow's Commonwealth Games has finally been revealed with a few surprises announced by head coach Gareth Williams.
04 Jul 14
WRU TV witnessed Dulais Valley Juniors as they attempted to break a world record during an event which brought the whole rugby family of the valley together.
03 Jul 14
Foster's Sevens champions Pontypridd will play Cross Keys in the opening round of this year's tournament, which will be held at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 24 August.
03 Jul 14
Prime Minister David Cameron has sent a special good luck messages to Wales Women ahead of next month's Women's Rugby World Cup in Paris (August 1-17).
03 Jul 14
WRU TV caught up with Wales stars Sam Warburton, Cory Allen and Jonathan Davies at the launch of the WRU's new partnership with TM Lewin
01 Jul 14
The Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up clash between Wales and USA proved bittersweet for centre Elen Evans. Despite being one of the star performers on the day on her 50th Test appearance, USA edged home 10-7 at Cross Keys.
26 Jun 14
WRU TV goes behind the scenes as Wales prepare to take on South Africa in the second Test at Mbombela Stadium.
24 Jun 14
Welsh rugby internationals discuss what it means to them to play at the Millennium Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby, which celebrates it's 15th birthday on 26 June this year.
20 Jun 14
Wales completed their Junior World Championship campaign with a victory over Samoa. Team manager Mark Taylor and No 8 James Benjamin reflect on a tournament which saw Wales win three games and lose two.
| Welsh Rugby Union | ||
| Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS | ||
| Telephone: 08442 491 999 | Fax: 029 2082 2474 | Email: info@wru.co.uk |
© 2014 Content © Welsh Rugby Union Ltd, Statistics © SFMS Ltd, Photography © Huw Evans Agency Privacy & Cookies delivered by Sotic powered by OpenText WSM