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Highlanders lock in All Blacks prospect one a one-year contract extension

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson has extended his contract for one more year through to 2022.

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He first started with the Highlanders back in 2018 but, due to form and injury, has only clocked up 16 games. At his best he is a force to be reckoned with. Standing at 2.04m and weighing 130kg, his sheer physical presence is enough to challenge the best defences, but he also possesses a good turn of speed for a big man.

His signature was welcomed by Highlanders head coach Tony Brown.

“Pari Pari has so much potential within him, I feel like he is ready to fire now and over the next few seasons, if he can stay injury free, he could really dominate his position,” Brown said.

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Stephen Ferris | All Access

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Stephen Ferris | All Access

“His big, athletic and an aggressive ball carrier so he has all he needs to be a world class player.”

A product of St Kentigern College rugby programme and a member of the NZ Barbarians Schools team in 2015, Parkinson joined the Tasman Mako academy in 2016 and made two appearances for the Mako that year.

He made his debut for the Highlanders against the Crusaders in 2018 and also made the Maori All Blacks in the same year.

However, it wasn’t until 2020 the Parkinson became the regular first choice lock where he produced some eye-catching performances.

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Off-season surgery to his left foot forced him to miss the Tasman Mako’s Premiership winning season, but he has worked his way back to full fitness and is expected to be available for selection for the Highlanders next match against the Hurricanes.

Parkinson is keen to look forward rather than back but was happy to be with the Highlanders.

“It’s been a frustrating few years in a way, with injuries etc, but I am hopeful with the body now in good shape that I can get some good performances under my belt and push on from here,” he said.

“I had options to move on but in the end I believe I will get the best out of myself by staying with the Highlanders. There is a lot I want to achieve over the next few seasons and this is the right team and place to do it from.”

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– Highlanders Rugby

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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