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The New England Free Jacks have announced the signing of versatile forward Jesse Parete on a two-year deal through the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Hailing from Hāwera, New Zealand, the 28-year-old heads stateside after a spell in Japan with the Canon Eagles, where he was a teammate of Sef Fa’agase.
Parete made his senior provincial debut with Taranaki in 2014 and after a two-year stint with Bay of Plenty he made the jump to Super Rugby in 2018 with the Chiefs. He then returned to Taranaki and joined the Highlanders in 2020. To date Parete has won 33 Super Rugby caps.
Capable of playing lock, blindside flanker, or No8, the 6’4″ (1.93m) forward is known for his powerful ball carrying and offloading ability. He will help fill the gap in the forwards left by the departure of Namibian international Wian Conradie to Gloucester.
