A newcomer via the draft to the Crusaders for the 2007 campaign, Jake Paringatai came to Christchurch after 37 games for Northland between 2003 and 2006. The powerful No 8’s potential was first recognised at national level in 2004 when he was chosen for the New Zealand Maori side that attended the Churchill Cup tournament in Canada. Paringatai was back in North America with the Maori side in 2006, and backed up that achievement on his return by featuring in every minute of Northland’s 10-match programme in the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup. He scored two tries for his province during that tournament. During Paringatai’s first Super 14, one of his appearances (against Queensland) was earned as a replacement lock – a position he had never played before in first class rugby. He left New Zealand at the end of 2007, joining Irish province Munster on a short term contract.