 After being called up to the All Blacks squad as injury cover, he made his international debut against Scotland on 15 November 2014.Parsons is one of 8 All Blacks to have come from the Takapuna Rugby Club.In 2015, he gave up his starting spot to the retiring Kevin Mealamu in his 50th appearance for the Blues against Highlanders at Eden Park.Parsons would take over as the captain of the Blues the following year.