Jason Emery Bio
Jason Emery (born 21 September 1993) is a New Zealand rugby union player who has built a professional career across the Southern Hemisphere, Japan, and the United States. A natural centre who can also operate at fullback, he is best known for his stints with the Highlanders and the Sunwolves in Super Rugby, his long association with Manawatu in New Zealand’s provincial system, and his time in Major League Rugby with Rugby New York and the Los Angeles franchise. Standing 1.76 m tall and weighing 92 kg, Emery combines midfield size with the foot speed and distribution skills expected of a modern outside back.
Born in Tauranga, Emery moved with his family to Wellington before settling in Palmerston North at the age of 13. He is married to Tori Ratima, and the couple has three daughters named Aria, Maddie, and Riley. Away from rugby, he has remained closely tied to his Palmerston North roots and the Manawatu rugby community that helped launch his career.
Early Life and Background
Jason Emery was born on 21 September 1993 in Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand’s North Island. When he was still young, his family relocated south to Wellington, and at the age of 13 he moved again to Palmerston North, the city that would come to define his rugby development. Settling into a new school and a new rugby environment at that age helped him adapt quickly, and it was in Palmerston North that his potential as a back began to surface.
He enrolled at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, one of New Zealand’s most storied rugby schools, and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2009, as a Year 11 student, he cracked the school’s 1st XV as a centre, competing in the Super 8 schools competition against the top school teams in the lower North Island. By the following year he had earned national recognition, and in 2010 he was selected for the New Zealand Schools team. That side toured trans-Tasman competition, and Emery scored a try in the annual test against the Australia Schoolboys at Littlebourne, helping New Zealand to a 30–21 win.
In his final year of school in 2011, Emery again represented New Zealand Schools, this time against Australia at Knox Grammar School in Sydney. Despite a 19–26 defeat, the tour reinforced his standing as one of the country’s most promising schoolboy midfielders, alongside contemporaries such as fellow Palmerston North Boys’ High School product Ngani Laumape. He also pursued tertiary studies at Massey University while continuing his rugby pathway.
Path to Rugby
Even before finishing high school, Emery was signed by the Manawatu Rugby Union, a clear sign that provincial coaches viewed him as a long-term project. His development, however, was put on a parallel track when he was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 side in 2012. That year he traveled to South Africa for the Junior Rugby World Championship, where New Zealand finished as runners-up. The tournament gave Emery his first taste of high-stakes, age-grade international rugby and sharpened his understanding of the demands of professional play.
He made his provincial debut for Manawatu on 24 August 2012, coming off the bench in the final 30 minutes against the Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship. Although Manawatu lost 11–30 at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North, Emery helped create his side’s only try. He did not have to wait long for his first starting appearance and his first provincial try, both of which came in a 33–20 Championship win over Northland.
Strong form in the provincial ranks quickly attracted the attention of Super Rugby franchises. In October 2012, while still a teenager, Emery signed a three-year contract with the Highlanders, the Dunedin-based Super Rugby side, beginning with the 2013 season. The deal marked a smooth transition from schoolboy standout to contracted professional and laid the foundation for his Super Rugby career.
Jason Emery Career
Early Career (2012–2017)
Emery’s senior career began in 2012 with Manawatu in New Zealand’s provincial championship, where he established himself as a reliable midfield option. Between 2012 and 2017, he became a regular feature of the Manawatu backline, learning the physical and tactical demands of senior rugby in one of the country’s most competitive provincial competitions. The move from schoolboy star to working professional required patience, and Manawatu provided the platform for that growth.
At the same time, Emery was developing at Super Rugby level with the Highlanders from 2013 through 2017. He made his Super Rugby debut on 15 March 2013, in a 19–23 loss to the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Over four seasons he continued to refine his game, contributing at both centre and fullback, before moving on to a new challenge in 2018.
Highlanders Breakthrough (2013–2017)
Emery’s breakthrough into the top tier of Southern Hemisphere rugby came with the Highlanders, where he signed a three-year deal in late 2012 and debuted in early 2013. The franchise, based in Dunedin, offered him a structured environment in which to develop his skills alongside experienced midfielders and a strong coaching group. He was used both at centre and at fullback, which broadened his understanding of the backline and the kicking game.
One of the most dramatic moments of his Highlanders tenure came on 22 April 2016, when he made his first start of the 2016 Super Rugby season against the Sharks. Within the first 15 minutes of that match, he was involved in a mid-air collision with opposing fullback Willie le Roux, which resulted in le Roux falling dangerously on his back. Emery was shown a red card and received a four-week ban. The incident was a harsh lesson, but it also reflected the physical edge he was willing to bring to the contest.
Across his five years with the Highlanders, Emery became a dependable squad member. Although not always a first-choice starter, he contributed to the club’s broader campaign efforts and gained valuable experience in high-pressure matches. The combination of provincial rugby with Manawatu and Super Rugby with the Highlanders helped him mature into a complete professional.
Sunwolves Era (2018–2019)
After his contract with the Highlanders expired, Emery joined the Sunwolves for the 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons, taking his career to Japan. The move exposed him to a different style of rugby, a new culture, and the unique travel demands of Super Rugby’s Asian conference. Playing for the Sunwolves also allowed him to test his skills against a wide range of international opponents and to expand his professional network.
His time in Japan was complemented by a stint with the Munakata Sanix Blues from 2018 through 2021, where he played in the country’s domestic Top League and related competitions. The combination of Super Rugby and Japanese club rugby gave Emery a well-rounded grounding in different tactical systems.
Los Angeles Era (2024–Present)
In 2022, Emery moved to the United States to join Rugby New York, the Major League Rugby franchise also known as the Ironworkers, where he played from 2022 to 2023. The switch to MLR represented a fresh chapter in a career that had already spanned New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan. Playing in a developing North American competition allowed him to take on a more senior role and to influence a growing rugby market.
In 2024, Emery transferred to the Los Angeles MLR franchise, where he continues to play. He also returned to his long-time provincial side Manawatu from 2021 to 2024, balancing commitments between the Northern Hemisphere and New Zealand domestic seasons. His current form reflects the experience of a veteran campaigner who has played in multiple competitions across three continents.
Driving Style and Strengths
Emery is a versatile back who has featured at both centre and fullback throughout his career. His strengths lie in midfield distribution, clean ball-handling under pressure, and a willingness to contribute in the kicking game when required. Coaches have valued his composure in structured attacking patterns and his reliability in defensive reads, both of which have helped him transition smoothly between different rugby environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Emery’s career include his selection for the New Zealand Schools team in 2010 and 2011, his Junior Rugby World Championship appearance with the New Zealand Under-20s in 2012, his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2013, and his transitions to the Sunwolves, Rugby New York, and the Los Angeles MLR side. The 2016 red card against the Sharks remains one of the most talked-about moments of his Highlanders years.
Jason Emery Career Wins
Emery’s career is best measured by longevity, versatility, and the range of competitions he has represented rather than by a single dominant trophy. Across more than a decade of senior rugby, he has accumulated experience in the New Zealand provincial championship, Super Rugby, Japan’s domestic league, and Major League Rugby in the United States.
Super Rugby Highlights
Emery played Super Rugby across two franchises, appearing for the Highlanders between 2013 and 2017 and for the Sunwolves in 2018 and 2019. His most memorable Super Rugby moment was his first start of the 2016 season against the Sharks, a match that shaped public perceptions of his physical edge. Across both clubs he contributed as a squad player capable of filling in at centre or fullback.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his Super Rugby appearances, Emery has featured for the Munakata Sanix Blues in Japan, Rugby New York in MLR, and the Los Angeles MLR franchise, as well as the Māori All Blacks in 2014. He has also been a long-serving member of Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup, with stints from 2012 to 2017 and again from 2021 to 2024. These varied stints underline his adaptability across different rugby cultures.
Jason Emery Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jason Emery was raised in a New Zealand family that moved from Tauranga to Wellington and then to Palmerston North during his childhood. While his parents are not publicly identified in verified sources, the family’s relocation played a formative role in his rugby journey, placing him in the catchment area of Palmerston North Boys’ High School, a school renowned for producing All Blacks.
Personal Life
Emery is married to Tori Ratima, and together they have three daughters: Aria, Maddie, and Riley. The family has balanced Emery’s professional rugby commitments in New Zealand, Japan, and the United States, and they have remained closely connected to the Manawatu community. His personal life reflects the close-knit, family-oriented values that are common among many New Zealand professional rugby players.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Emery is expected to continue his role with the Los Angeles Major League Rugby franchise while also linking back with Manawatu when the New Zealand domestic calendar allows. His experience across multiple competitions makes him a senior figure in the MLR changing room, and coaches are likely to lean on his versatility at both centre and fullback.
After a full year adjusting to life in Los Angeles in 2024, Emery’s 2025 campaign should reflect greater familiarity with the MLR’s pace and travel demands. His combination of physicality, defensive read, and distribution skills is well suited to the league, and he will be aiming to contribute to a more competitive showing from the Los Angeles side.
From a wider career perspective, the 2025 season marks the next phase of a journey that began in Tauranga and Palmerston North and has since taken in South Africa, Japan, and the United States. Whether or not he adds new trophies to his record, Emery’s continued presence at professional level remains a testament to his durability and the strong foundation laid during his schoolboy and provincial years.