| Full name | James William Parsons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1986-11-27)27 November 1986 (age 38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Palmerston North, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (234 lb; 16 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | King's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Tom Parsons (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James William Parsons (born 27 November 1986) is a New Zealand retiredrugby union player who played as ahooker for theBlues inSuper Rugby[1][2] andNorth Harbour in theITM Cup.[3] He has also played two matches for theAll Blacks. He is one of just 3 players that have ever become a Blues centurion and Player of the Year
He was born inPalmerston North and educated atKing's College inAuckland, completing his education in 2004.
He was first selected forNorth Harbour in 2007 and went on to become a centurion for the province. In 2012 he debuted for theBlues inSuper Rugby, his first game being against theHighlanders.
After being called up to the All Blacks squad as injury cover, he made his international debut againstScotland on 15 November 2014. Parsons is one of eight All Blacks to have come from the Takapuna Rugby Club.[citation needed]
In 2015, he gave up his starting spot to the retiringKeven Mealamu in his 50th appearance for the Blues against Highlanders at Eden Park. Parsons would take over as the captain of the Blues the following year.
Parsons was recalled to the New Zealand team in 2016 due to Nathan Harris's injury, where he played as a substitute against Australia at Westpac Stadium during the Bledisloe Series. However, his season was cut short when he suffered an injury during a training session, preventing him from playing further that year. Additionally, he was honored as the Blues Player of the Year in the same season.
In 2019, Parsons re-signed with the Blues until 2021.[4]
In January 2021, Parsons announced his retirement from rugby, on medical advice.[5]
