Chatty TJ dishes on-field banter with unhappy hooker
Emmerson’s Cup
All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara, known for his competitiveness and outspoken demeanour on the field, was involved in a hilarious spat with a Canadian player during the early stages of their 63-0 victory.
Leading by 14 points after 13 minutes, the All Blacks threatened to score another try through Jordie Barrett on the right wing until he was tackled into touch deep in Canadian territory.
At the resulting lineout, Perenara was in the touch judge’s ear about something, which brought out a priceless response from Canadian hooker Eric Howard.
“Come on, you’re the best team in the world. Give me a break,” Howard said to Perenara, which could be heard during the TV broadcast.
“You’ve still got to play fair,” replied the All Black No 9.
The All Blacks ended up running riot, especially in the second half after handling errors defined much of the first.
Before the match, Perenara led the All Blacks in yet another spirited haka — with added emotion after the passing of All Blacks legend “Tiny” Hill and a spate of overseas media criticism of the pre-match tradition.
English football legend Gary Lineker took a shot at the ritual, tweeting: “Must be so hard not to just laugh at this if you're the opposition”.
His prod drew a response from media commentator Piers Morgan, an ardent Arsenal supporter, who took a swipe at Lineker's former club Tottenham Hotspur.
“The haka is one of the greatest spectacles in sport, and of huge cultural importance in New Zealand,” Morgan wrote. “Weird that you would mock it.”
Another user commented: “The fact that Lineker doesn't see this post as racist is frightening. Hang your head in shame Gary.”
Lineker replied to the criticism, writing: “Just a bit bored by it now. How would a dance in anyway intimidate a sportsman. Their rugby ability is another matter entirely but the haka . . . nah.”