JIM PARKES – KIWI #175

Versatile Hornby back Jim Parkes made two overseas tours with the New Zealand team and played in several momentous matches on home soil during the mid-1920s.

Parkes was at fullback for Canterbury’s clash with the touring England side in 1924 and featured for South Island in the inaugural interisland fixture the following season. He earned a New Zealand call-up for the 1925 tour of Australia, playing eight games – including a two-try performance as a centre in a 19-18 victory in the last of four matches against NSW. He also played matches at wing and five-eighth.

The 25-year-old was on the wing for New Zealand’s first encounter with the visiting Queensland side in 1925 and represented Canterbury against the star-studded tourists.

Parkes transferred to Auckland club Richmond and embarked on New Zealand’s strife-torn tour of Britain in 1926-27. His 17 appearances for six tries including a sole Test outing on the wing against Wales, while he regularly filled in as a forward after a group of players opted to strike, volunteering to play hooker.

JIM PARKES
NEW ZEALAND (1925-27)
1 Test – 0 points
25 tour matches – 8 tries (24 points)
-1925 New Zealand tour of Australia
-1926-27 New Zealand tour of Britain