Perenara: It’s not going to be easy
TJ Perenara has spoken out on the emotional price he will have to pay to be part of the All Blacks this season, with the champion halfback saying he will seek help to get him through what he expects to be a highly challenging period.
The Wellington Lions No 9 was back to his inspirational best as his side secured a statement 39-21 Mitre 10 Cup victory over Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday. Afterwards, he spoke of the difficult period he is about to enter as he assembles with the All Blacks to prepare for, first, the twin home Bledisloes against the Wallabies in October and, then, the Rugby Championship campaign in Australia.
Perenara and wife Greer in August welcomed their first baby, Amaia, into the world. Leaving her behind to tend to his business with the All Blacks is a reality Perenara, 28, said would test him as much as anything he would be likely to encounter on the field.
‘‘I think leaving will be hard for a number of reasons,’’ he said of yesterday’s assembly with the All Blacks for a three-day camp in Whakatane. ‘‘Getting amongst Te Kapa o raiona [the team of Lions] for the last couple of weeks has been awesome, and I’ve built some good friendships in the environment. And also leaving my wife and baby for the next little while will be hard.’’
Perenara left no doubt that the latter would tear at him particularly hard, especially with the prospect of being separated from his family from late-October through until Christmas during the Rugby Championship.
‘‘It will be [difficult], it will have its challenges,’’ Perenara, who has played 64 tests for his country, said.
‘‘It’s not an easy situation for anyone, regardless of if you’ve got families or not. But leaving my
wife and my young daughter will be a difficult situation, although I am excited about the opportunity to be in the All Blacks environment.’’
Asked how he would manage that highly personal challenge, Perenara’s response reflected his growing status in the All Blacks as a leader and voice for the players.
‘‘It’s not going to be easy. Simple as that. It’s not going to be easy. But we’ll make sure it’s as easy as possible for the boys in there. That’s why I think this next little while is going to be really important to build those strategies.’’
Perenara is far from a lone ranger in the All Blacks. Star first-five Richie Mo’unga also became a first-time father in August, while Beauden Barrett and wife Hannah are expecting their first soon. Numerous others in Ian Foster’s squad have young families and the coach has said they would be given as much home time as possible prior to leaving for Australia.
The Wellington halfback, meanwhile, shrugged off any pressure he may have been feeling following an indifferent start to the season when the Lions were thumped by Waikato in Hamilton.
‘‘Whether it’s playing club rugby or playing in an All Blacks test match, I feel the same pressure,’’ he said.
‘‘I genuinely believe the pressure I put on myself outweighs the pressure you guys can put on me, or the pressure a game can put on me, because I expect myself to play good each and every game.’’
It was why Perenara didn’t get overly hung up on suggestions he may have been outplayed by young Waikato halfback Xavier Roe during opening weekend.
‘‘I thought he played really well. But every time I run out on the field I go out with the confidence I’m the best player on the field and the best player to help my team win a football game.
‘‘People try and place the 9s against one another. We have very little contact with one another in a game, so I don’t judge myself on what the other halfback does. I judge myself on were my actions beneficial for the team and did I help my team win a football game? If I did, I feel like I’ve done my job well.’’
As he trudged off Eden Park on Sunday, the smile on his face indicated a job definitely done well.