New Zealand prop Sean Paranihi played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He represented the NOLA Gold for his entire MLR career.

Paranihi’s signing was announced in December 2022, joining from Manawatu in New Zealand’s NPC competition, with whom he has over 30 caps. He is a Maori All Black, having represented them in 2017 & 2019. Paranihi earned 11 caps in his debut MLR season, all of which were starts.

On July 26th 2023, Paranihi was announced as part of the Manawatu squad for the 2023 NPC season. His contract with the Gold runs through 2024, and he returned to MLR for that season, earning another 7 appearances as the Gold finally ended their playoff drought, but fell 21-45 to the Chicago Hounds in the first round. On October 21st, 2024, the NOLA Gold announced the departure of Sean Paranihi. It is unknown if he will return to MLR in 2025.

Achievements: 

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 1