Introducing – Jake Paringatai

He played 37 games for Northland between 2003 and 2006 and during that time he represented the New Zealand Maori in the Churchill Cup in Canada (2004) and again in 2006 when the competition was held in North America.

His performances for Northland brought him to the attention of the Crusaders and he joined them for the 2007 Super 14 season, making his first of 4 appearances against the (Auckland) Blues in Eden Park.

Born: 13th April 1980, Paraparaumu. Height: 1.85m. Weight: 106kg. Province: Northland. Super 14: Crusaders.

Favourite Food: Fresh fish (Snapper) or Crayfish.
Book you are currently reading or have just finished:    River God.
Favourite TV programme:  Home and Away.
Favourite Film:   Training Day Boys In The Hood.
Favourite Actor/Actress:   Denzel and Jake the muss.
Most enjoyable holiday location:  Bay of Islands.
Favourite sport other than rugby:  Rugby League (NRL), Basketball, Golf, Boxing, any fighting sports.
The sport you least like:   Dont have, I like all sports.
Person you would most like to meet:  Jordan.
Sportsperson you admire most:   Sonny Bill Willliams (does the mean hits)
Where and when did you first play rugby:    Bulls, a little country town in New Zealand as a 10 year old.
Biggest influence on career:   Mum and Donny Stevenson NZ Maori coach.
Best career advice you were given:  From Mum, (“do you want to be like your Dad” ) My old man worked in the shearing sheds, pretty hard work, it made me give rugby a good crack.
What you like least about being a rugby player:   Getting injuries I have to say. 
Other sports that you played:    Played every sport really, apart from hurling, pretty keen to it a nudge.
Best rugby memory:   Scoring winning try for Northland last year to break a 30 game losing streak, worst ever in New Zealand rugby.
Rugby player you admire most:     Rua Tipoki.
Rugby team you admire most:    Munster and Crusaders. Have to say the teams are a lot alike.
Sporting event you would most like to attend:   Bull run in Pamplona, Spain.
If you weren’t a Pro rugby player what would you be:    Doing some back breaking labouring job.
Plans for life after rugby and what provision have you made:   Hope to buy a truck and little bobcat, clear sections and so on.
Advice you would give to aspiring pro rugby player:  You will get setbacks but the key is, dont give up. Keep chasing your goals.
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