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Last Updated: Tuesday, 17 January 2006, 11:29 GMT
Jones warning over player burnout
Ospreys coach Lyn Jones
Ospreys coach Lyn Jones says Sonny Parker's retirement from international rugby is a clear warning over the dangers of player burnout.

Parker, 28, has ended his Wales career to plan for life after rugby and Jones fears others could soon follow suit.

"Wales isn't blessed with a sea full of international rugby players. We have to look after them," Jones told BBC Sport.

"We must play fewer international or regional games because we cannot afford players to retire early."

Jones says he was "shocked" by Parker's decision to retire, which the New Zealand-born centre announced a day before he was set to be named in Wales' Six Nations squad.

"I immediately spoke to Sunny when I heard about it and told him to think about it a bit longer," Jones added.

"There's always a route back for him, he's only a young player and everybody's circumstances change.

"He's been playing well this year and had a good preparation in the summer so it's disappointing for Wales.

"But it's Sonny's decision and we [Ospreys] will support him in anything he wants to do."




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