Competitive halfback Richard Jarman became immortalised in his home province of Taranaki when the scored a critical try in their one and only Ranfurly Shield defence against North Harbour in 1996 a week after they had lifted it off Auckland. Taranaki won 13-11 that day, before losing it to the next challengers, Waikato.

An outstanding NPC season in 1996 saw him selected in the Hurricanes in 1997. Although given few chances as back up to Jon Preston, who was also the goal kicker, he did earn four caps, including two starts against the Highlanders and Waratahs. Again as Preston’s understudy in 1998 game time was precious for him, earning another two starts.

Jarman played 82 matches and scored 100 points for Taranaki up to the end of 2000 and had a season with Manawatu in 2001, before a stint in England playing rugby for Worcester. Back in New Zealand, Jarman graduated from Police College in December 2004 and he is now a police officer in Hastings. 

In 2007 Jarman and former Hurricanes teammate Daryl Fale were appointed co-coaches of Hawke’s Bay U20. In 2009 he was appointed as Hawke’s Bay B coach. In his youth, Jarman represented New Zealand U17, Taranaki U19, New Zealand U19, Taranaki Colts and Wellington Colts.