So he is definitely the pupil with Brown the master, as the duo share first five-eighth duties for Otago this season.
Parker (20) will start from the bench tonight in behind Brown but will probably get on to the field as Otago takes on Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook.
Parker said Brown has been a huge help to him over the past few months, though he was not a fan of being among the reserves.
"I don't really enjoy it. You're always looking for opportunities to see what you can do and wanting to make a difference. But when you get out there sometimes it ends up being worse," Parker said.
He, though, is still learning, having only started playing first five-eighth halfway through his education as a boarder at Otago Boys' High School.
"I started out as a flanker but I was getting a bit small so by the fifth form I decided to switch. I'd always liked kicking the ball so I thought I'd give first five a crack."
Parker, who hails from Kurow, eventually made it into the school's First XV and his upward spiral continued when he was selected for the New Zealand Colts side last year.
He then made a couple of appearances for Otago off the bench and his career seemed to be developing nicely.
But the script went wrong late last year when he badly broke his left leg while playing for Otago B and it has been a long haul back to the field.
"I broke my tibia and fibula. I knew straight away I had done something bad. Your leg is not supposed to lie that way."
The one advantage of the injury was it was a clean break and after a week in hospital he started his comeback.
Screws were inserted into his leg but after a long time off the field, they troubled him in his first comeback game in May.
That led to another small operation to take a couple of screws out and the leg was not giving him much hassle.
Now it is about getting on the field and helping Otago to get back into the ITM Cup after losing its last two games.
"We started well but in the last couple of games we have sort of let our foot off the throat. I think it is a combination of things. With this short season your preparation has to be so good. It is much more of a mental thing where you've just got to get back up for it."
Parker is likely to get some game time tonight as Otago shuffles its troops with one eye on the match against Southland on Saturday.
This match is very much a make or break game. The season will be half over after the final whistle tonight and if Otago had more wins than losses it would have to be pleased.
But lose and it will be a tough road to make the championship final.
Both sides are far from full strength and Otago must simply get some explosiveness back into its game and cut out the basic errors. The return of Ben Smith at fullback should add some spark to Otago and the home side must make sure he gets the ball often enough.
It is an Otago team starting with seven home-grown players, the most for a while, so motivation should not be lacking.
This, the penultimate match for Otago at Carisbrook, is expected to be played in fine but cool weather.
Otago v Counties-Manukau
Carisbrook, tonight, 5.35pm
Referee: Shane McDermott (Bay of Plenty)
TAB odds: Otago $1.50, Counties-Manukau $2.45
Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Johnny Legg, Andrew Stead, Adam Hill, Paul Grant, Tom Donnelly (captain), Rob Verbakel, James McGougan, Liam Coltman, Scott Manson.
Reserves: Kees Meeuws, Jason Macdonald, Halani Aulika, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Sean Romans, Hayden Parker, Ben Atiga.
Counties-Manukau: James Semple, Tyrone Lefau, Siale Piutau, Niva Ta'auso, Bundee Aki, Bayden Kerr, Augustine Pulu, Viliami Fihaki, Mark Selwyn, Adam Cathcart, Jamie Chipman (captain), Chris McLaren, Matt Talaese, Grant Henson, Ihipa Thompson.
Reserves: Mark Price, Jeremiah Fatialofa, Simon Lemalu, Taiasina Tuifua, DJ Forbes, Samisoni Fisilau, Tasesa Lavea, Sherwin Stowers.
