Kiwi back row Jesse Parete represented the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby during the 2022 & 2023 seasons. A part of the Free Jacks team that finished with the best record in MLR history at the time (13-3), the 29yo former Highlanders man earned 8 MLR caps (5 starts) during the 2022 season, scoring 1 try.

He gained 274m on 52 ball carries and made 43 tackles for a success rate of 71.67%. He earned the nickname ‘The Pest’ from Free Jacks fans.

On October 12, 2022, an ARN report concerning the Free Jacks signing of Mitch Jacobson confirmed that Jesse Parete would not be returning for MLR’s 2023 season, but circumstances change and in March 2023 the Free Jacks announced that Parete would return for the remainder of the 2023 season. Parete’s 2023 season was a mixed bag. Although the Free Jacks did capture their first MLR Shield, he earned a further 6 MLR caps but also received 2 red cards (both for cumulative yellows) and earned a number of sanctions that came along with it, placing him on the sidelines more regularly than the pitch.

He was included on the Taranaki Bulls roster when they announced it for their 2023 NPC roster, and it is unknown if Jesse Parete will return for the 2024 MLR season.

MLR Achievements:

• 2023 MLR Champion – NE Free Jacks
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Week 8
• MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Week 13