James Paterson

James Douglas Patersonborn in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a former rugby union player with dual United States and New Zealand citizenship (born in New Zealand, mother is American). Paterson played Super Rugby for the Highlanders between 2010 and 2011. Paterson played for the United States at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Youth Paterson's first introduction to rugby was in 1999 after returning from 8 years living in Budapest, Hungary where his father developed and directed an Agricultural Trading and Consultancy business. He returned to Christchurch, his home town and enrolled in Medbury Intermediate School where he played for the First XV. He then enrolled at Christchurch Boys' High School where he went on to play for the First XV in his 5th form (now known as Year 11). After four years he was on the move again to Colorado, USA where he ended up playing high school football. Paterson impressed in a short period of time, achieving Colorado State recognition for the most running yards in a season as a Wide Receiver & Running Back. In the off season for football and prior to High School graduation from Pine Creek High School, Colorado Springs he along with his father, John, helped develop the Colorado Springs High School Rugby Club winning State in 2005. This team is now a frequent winner of the Colorado State High School State Championships. In 2005 Paterson was selected for the USA U19 National Rugby team where he played in the U19 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, and the following year Captained the USA team at the U19 Rugby World Cup in Dubai.