Pari Pari Parkinson

Pari Pari Parkinson (born 12 September 1996) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition and Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup.[1] His position of choice is lock.

Pari Pari Parkinson
Full namePari Pari Matua Parkinson
Date of birth (1996-09-12) 12 September 1996
Place of birthWhakatāne, New Zealand
Height204 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Weight119 kg (262 lb; 18 st 10 lb)
SchoolSt. Kentigern College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Tasman, Highlanders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016– Tasman 32 (5)
2018– Highlanders 16 (5)
Correct as of 19 August 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Māori All Blacks 5 (0)
Correct as of 20 June 2020

School and domestic rugby career

Parkinson was educated at Auckland's Saint Kentigern’s College, before relocating to Nelson to join the Crusaders Academy and play for club team Stoke. He had an early taste of Super Rugby when he played four minutes for the Crusaders top side in a practice match against the Highlanders in Oamaru in 2016, at 19 years of age. Parkison joined the Tasman Mako wider training group in 2016, having previously represented the New Zealand Barbarians Schools side. He made two appearances for Tasman in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup and was named in their squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup.[2]

Parkinson’s hard-working attitude earned him an Investec Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders for the 2018 season, debuting against the Crusaders towards the end of the season.

Parkinson was part of the Tasman team that won the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup for the first time.[3]

In 2020, Parkinson established himself as first-choice lock for the Highlanders, during the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, drawing praise for his performances and work-rate.[4]

Parkinson missed the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup with injury as the Mako went on to win their second premiership title in a row.

Maori All Blacks

In 2018, Parkinson was selected for the Maori All Blacks tour of the USA, Chile and Brazil, thus following in the footsteps of his uncle Matua Parkinson, who played for the side and also captained the New Zealand Sevens team. During the tour, he started all three games at 5 in what was a clean sweep, however, he was yellow-carded in the match against the USA for a body slam on Eagles number 9 Shaun Davies.[5]

Parkinson represents his iwi Te Whānau-ā-Apanui,[6] from the eastern Bay of Plenty and East Coast regions of New Zealand's North Island.

About his involvement in the Maori All Blacks, Parkinson said: "It was the icing on the cake of a pretty awesome Mitre 10 season" [7] He also cited Chile as his favourite destination on the tour, because of the weather, the people and the training facilities, while also saying to be proud to be contributing to growing the sport around the world.

Style of play

From the position of lock, Parkinson stands out in the lineout and for his work around the park, using his big frame to carry the ball into defenders and setting teammates with his offloads. His dimensions made his Highlanders' captain Ash Dixon label him as a "baby giraffe". [8]

References
  1. "Pari Pari Parkinson". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  2. "Pari Pari Parkinson". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  3. "Pari Pari Parkinson". mako.nz. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  4. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders urge Pari Pari Parkinson to back up good start". Stuff. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  5. "WATCH: New Zealand lock binned for massive body slam on USA player". Ruck. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. "Whānau Parkinson legacy continues with Māori ABs". Māori Television. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  7. "Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh Ioane Interview". YouTube.
  8. "Super Rugby: Highlanders back 'baby giraffe' Pari Pari Parkinson to be a force". Stuff. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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