Pari Pari Parkinson extends contract with Highlanders

Highlanders’ giant second-row Pari Pari Parkinson has committed his services to the franchise for another year.

To date, Parkinson has notched up 16 Highlanders caps since joining their ranks in 2018.

“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,” said the Highlanders’ head coach Tony Brown. “His big, athletic and an aggressive ball carrier so he has all he needs to be a world class player.”

Parkinson is upbeat about the challenges lying ahead for him in the Highlanders’ colours.

“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”.