James Parsons has been forced to delay a holiday with wife Samantha (R) after earning an All Blacks debut © Getty Images

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For most people, telling your wife the romantic week to Paris is off will be fraught with danger. Not so for All Blacks hooker James Parsons, who has been fast-tracked to make his debut in a start against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Parsons and wife Samantha were set to celebrate their third wedding anniversary in the French capital followed by another week in Dubai when the All Blacks came calling. An injury to rookie hooker Nathan Harris resulted in an unexpected promotion for Parsons following his appearance for the Barbarians against Australia in London two weeks ago.

Then came the phone call to Samantha. "She was rapt," Parsons said. "We'll sort that (Paris) out later." Samantha arrived at the team's Edinburgh hotel on Wednesday in time to witness her husband fitted with an All Blacks jersey. She told journalists it was a high point in their 10 years together, with Parsons having experienced his share of rugby setbacks.

Any hope of a Test promotion seemed to be slipping for the 27-year-old, a back-up to Test veteran Keven Mealamu at the Blues and who was rated sixth at best in the national pecking order last year.

"You always hold onto the hope," he said. "I knew the Baabaas game was a chance to show what I've got at international level and I felt I did that. I knew they were watching that game and with Nathan's injury, it gave me a chance."

Parsons has turned down overseas contract opportunities and followed the advice of All Blacks coaches to eat more and bulk up. And if the confidence ever needed fattening, he's always known where to turn.

"You say those silly dreams when you're young, that you want to be an All Black," he said. "My mum, dad, sister and brother always said that I could do it. My wife continued that journey with me from school. I've held onto that dream, when others might not have believed that I can do it."