Jamison Gibson-Park
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Jamison Gibson-Park
| image = Jamison Gibson-Park 2016.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|02|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
| height = {{convert|1.75|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|80|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = Gisborne Boys' High School
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Scrum-half
| currentclub = Leinster
| years1 = 2012–2015
| clubs1 = Taranaki
| apps1 = 32
| points1 = 30
| years2 = 2013–2016
| clubs2 = Blues
| apps2 = 30
| points2 = 10
| years3 = 2016
| clubs3 = Hurricanes
| apps3 = 13
| points3 = 0
| years4 = 2016–
| clubs4 = Leinster
| apps4 = 153
| points4 = 165
| repyears1 = 2012–2015
| repteam1 = Māori All Blacks
| repcaps1 = 8
| reppoints1 = 15
| repyears2 = 2020–
| repteam2 = Ireland
| repcaps2 = 43
| reppoints2 = 35
| clubupdate = 11 April 2025
| repupdate = 15 March 2025{{cite web |title=Jamison Gibson-Park |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/player/jamison-gibson-park/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=11 September 2023}}
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =
| ru_sevensupdate =
}}
Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (born 23 February 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Leinster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/these-players-have-been-recruited-to-play-for-ireland-international-sport-shouldnt-have-a-transfer-market-39763827.html|title=These players have been recruited to play for Ireland. International sport shouldn't have a transfer market|work=Irish Independent|location=Dublin, Ireland|date= 18 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://trfu.co.nz/Tenderlink-Taranaki/The-Team/Players/Jamison-Gibson-Park/ |title=Jamison Gibson-Park Taranaki Player Profile |access-date=1 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117220547/http://trfu.co.nz/Tenderlink-Taranaki/The-Team/Players/Jamison-Gibson-Park/ |archive-date=17 January 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.theblues.co.nz/News/2012-10-31/Blues-squad-announced-for-2013.aspx |title=Blues squad announced for 2013 |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=1 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126083741/http://www.theblues.co.nz/News/2012-10-31/Blues-squad-announced-for-2013.aspx |archive-date=26 January 2013 }} Gibson-Park received full Irish citizenship in December 2023 and holds dual nationality.{{cite tweet | number=1736793801748893755 | user=DeptJusticeIRL | author=Department of Justice | title=Congratulations to @IrishRugby & @leinsterrugby scrumhalf @JamisonGPark who received his Irish Citizenship today | date=18 December 2023 | access-date=18 December 2023}}
Early life
Gibson-Park was born, and spent the first 10 years of his life on Great Barrier Island. From there he moved to Gisborne.
He ended up at Gisborne Boys' High School, where he excelled in its first XV, being named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools squad in his final year.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/5329662/Quake-detour-leads-to-final | title=Quake detour leads to final | date=23 September 2011 | access-date=1 November 2012 }} He then got picked up out of school by the Taranaki Academy where he moved at the start of 2011.
In 2012 Gibson-Park trialled for the New Zealand under-20 side, but he missed selection.{{Cite web|last=Scully|first=Michael|date=2020-11-12|title=Gibson-Park set for first Ireland start almost a decade after All Blacks snub|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/rugby-union/jamison-gibson-park-set-first-22992509|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Irish Mirror|language=en}}
Club career
= Taranaki =
Gibson-Park debuted for Taranaki in 2012, playing the season's first two Ranfurly Shield matches against King Country and Wanganui. He was contracted and made the Taranaki National Provincial Championship squad, making his NPC debut starting at scrum-half against Bay of Plenty. He made an immediate impact with his decisive running and ability to spot a gap. His ability to put a player into space also caught the eye. Gibson-Park was one of the then break-out stars of the 2012 ITM Cup in his debut year for Taranaki, scoring four tries in eleven appearances and was awarded the most promising player of the year ahead of finalists Mitch Brown and Seta Tamanivalu.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/taranaki-rugby/7896613/Michael-Bent-best-in-amber-and-black | title= Michael Bent best in amber and black | work= Taranaki Daily News | publisher= Fairfax | date=2 November 2012 | access-date=23 March 2013 }} His performance didn't go unnoticed by the national media or the Super Rugby coaches. He received high praise from television, print and radio commentators and had been named one of the five promising players of the year by the Rugby Almanack.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/8500817/Gibson-Park-highly-rated-by-rugby-almanack | title=Gibson-Park highly rated by rugby almanack | date=3 April 2013 | access-date=6 April 2013 }}
= Blues =
In 2013 he was signed by the Super Rugby side the Blues. He earned his first Super Rugby start in the Blues 21–28 loss to the Bulls in round four of the competition. Gibson-Park was also a part of the Blues team to face France, getting his chance because of injury with All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8771467/Blues-revved-for-Les-Bleus-rookie-Gibson-Park | title=Blues revved for Les Bleus: rookie Gibson-Park | date=8 June 2013 | access-date=12 June 2013 }}
Gibson-Park had a slow start to the 2014 Super Rugby season because of stress fracture but finished the season appearing in two matches of rounds ten and eighteen coming on as a replacement against the Hurricanes and Crusaders. 2015 was a strong year as he started at halfback majority of the year, who along with Brendon O'Connor were the only players who had played in every game that season for the Auckland franchise.{{cite web | url=http://theblues.co.nz/blues-honour-mealamu-parsons-final-match/ | title=BLUES HONOUR MEALAMU AND PARSONS IN FINAL MATCH | date=10 June 2015 | access-date=1 March 2016 }} Gibson-Park recorded one try while also being pointed out by many commentators as a key figure for the Blues,{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} in what was his final season.
= Hurricanes =
October 2015, Gibson-Park was the last to join the Hurricanes 39-man Super Rugby squad after head coach Chris Boyd looked to fill gaps at halfback after the departure of Chris Smylie to Italy. He joined alongside fellow Taranaki halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73428148/jamison-gibsonpark-loni-uhila-complete-hurricanes-super-rugby-roster | title=Jamison Gibson-Park, Loni Uhila complete Hurricanes Super Rugby roster | date=28 October 2015 | access-date=1 March 2016 }}
= Leinster =
On 12 May 2016, Park left New Zealand to join Irish province Leinster in the Pro12 ahead of the 2016–17 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2016/0512/787883-gibson-park/|publisher=RTE|title=Leinster snap up Hurricanes scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park|date=12 May 2016|access-date=27 March 2017}}
In September 2017, Gibson-Park and Leinster captain Isa Nacewa were denied entry in to South Africa due to visa restrictions. The pair had been due to play two matches for Leinster in the Pro14 against the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs.{{cite news|title=Leinster duo Nacewa and Gibson-Park denied entry to South Africa|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41254822|access-date=14 September 2017}} He made his 100th appearance for Leinster coming off the bench in a 16–6 victory over Munster in the 2021 Pro14 Grand Final.{{cite web |title=TONER TO BECOME MOST CAPPED LEINSTER PLAYER OF ALL TIME |url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/preview/toner-most-capped-leinster-player/ |website=Leinster rugby |access-date=28 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=GUINNESS PRO14 FINAL MATCH REPORT: LEINSTER 16 MUNSTER 6 |url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/report/guinness-pro14-final-match-report-leinster-16-munster-6/?FixGuid=20TT8904 |website=Leinster rugby |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327205106/https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/report/guinness-pro14-final-match-report-leinster-16-munster-6/?FixGuid=20TT8904 |url-status=dead }} Gibson-Park was selected in Leinster's defeat to La Rochelle in the 2023 European Rugby Champions Cup final.{{cite news |title=La Rochelle break Leinster hearts with epic comeback to win Champions Cup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/20/leinster-la-rochelle-champions-cup-final-match-report |newspaper=The Observer |date=20 May 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023 |last1=Kitson |first1=Robert }}
International career
= Māori All Blacks =
Although the then 20-year-old Gibson-Park had only played eleven matches for Taranaki, Jamie Joseph, the Māori All Blacks coach, selected him for the 2012 end of year tour to England, playing against domestic club team Leicester Tigers, an invitational RFU Championship XV, and ending against the Canadian national team.{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/7879441/Halfback-lives-highs-and-lows-of-rep-rugby | title=Halfback lives highs and lows of rep rugby | date=30 October 2012 | access-date=1 November 2012 }}
= Ireland =
In August 2019, Gibson-Park became eligible to play for Ireland under the World Rugby's eligibility rules.
In October 2020, he was named in the Ireland squad by coach Andy Farrell for the remaining matches of the 2020 Six Nations Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-squad-autumn-tests-5226325-Oct2020/|title =Farrell includes six uncapped players in Ireland squad as Sexton retains captaincy|date= 8 October 2020|work=The 42|access-date=9 October 2020}} Gibson Park came off the bench against Italy for his first cap on 24 October 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/54628891|title =Six Nations 2020: Debutants among tries as Ireland beat Italy 50-17 to go top|date= 24 October 2020|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 October 2020}}
In November 2021, he was selected as the starting scrum-half for Ireland's test against Japan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/11/04/ireland-team-named-for-japan-match/|title=Ireland Team Named for Japan Match|date=4 November 2021}} scoring his first international try in a 60–5 victory. He kept his place for the visit of New Zealand a week later and played a key role in a 29–20 win over his native country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/report/relentless-ireland-outplay-new-zealand-to-continue-winning-run/#performance|title=Relentless Ireland Outplay New Zealand to Continue Winning Run}} His performance against New Zealand earned him praise for his speed of service and work-rate in defence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/jamison-gibson-park-becomes-ireland-s-omnipresent-metronome-1.4728556|title = Jamison Gibson-Park becomes Ireland's omnipresent metronome| newspaper=The Irish Times }} He scored a try in Ireland's 30–24 loss against France in the 2022 Six Nations, and then another against Italy two weeks later in a 57–6 win.
In November 2024, he was named in the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Heagney |first1=Liam |title=Seven Springboks make World Rugby men’s 15s dream team of the year |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/seven-springboks-make-world-rugby-mens-15s-dream-team-of-the-year/ |publisher=RugbyPass |access-date=24 November 2024}}
In January 2025, he scored a try and was named man of the match in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations as Ireland defeated England 27–22.{{cite web |last1=Calvert |first1=Lee |title=Ireland 27-22 England: Six Nations 2025 – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/feb/01/ireland-v-england-six-nations-2025-live-score-updates-rugby-union |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=2 February 2025}}
Personal life
Gibson-Park is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Ngāti Porou and Ngā Tai descent).{{cite web|url=https://npec.co.nz/wp/2015/06/30/5-players-from-ngati-porou-named-in-maori-all-blacks/|title=5 players from Ngāti Porou named in "Maori All Blacks"|website=
Ngāti Porou East Coast|date=2015-06-30|access-date=2024-02-22}}
On 18 December 2023, the Irish Department of Justice announced that Jamison Gibson-Park had become a citizen of Ireland.
Career statistics
= List of international tries =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| No.
! Position ! Points ! Tries ! Result ! Opposition ! Venue ! Date ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| 1
| 5 | 1 | Won | {{ru|JPN|noflag=y}} |
| 2
| 5 | 1 | Lost | {{ru|FRA|noflag=y}} |
| 3
| 5 | 1 | Won | {{ru|ITA|noflag=y}} |
| 4
| 5 | 1 | Won | {{ru|ROM|noflag=y}} |
| 5
| 5 | 1 | Lost | {{ru|NZL|noflag=y}} |
| 6
| 5 | 1 | Won | {{ru|FRA|noflag=y}} |
{{as of|2024|02|03|lc=y}}{{cite web | url = https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-international-26913.html | title = Jamison Gibson-Park | date = 20 November 2023 | website = It's Rugby | access-date = 20 November 2023 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sport links}}
- {{EPCR profile|JG677554}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130228081347/https://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=MaoriAllBlacksPlayerProfile&playerID=2187 Jamison Gibson-Park] at AllBlacks.com
- [https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/player/jamison-gibson-park?ref=5a4fbfd6-301e-420a-a66f-9f926593ed9f Leinster profile]
- [https://www.pro14rugby.org/player/?PlayGuid=JG677554 Pro14 profile]
{{Leinster Rugby squad}}
{{Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibson-Park, Jamison}}
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki people
Category:Māori All Blacks players
Category:Blues (Super Rugby) players
Category:Taranaki rugby union players
Category:Rugby union scrum-halves
Category:Rugby union players from Auckland
Category:Hurricanes (rugby union) players
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in Ireland
Category:Leinster Rugby players
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:Ireland international rugby union players