Perenara believed to be looking at league move
AUCKLAND: All Blacks star TJ Perenara is reportedly considering a shock code switch to the NRL.
reported Perenara is ‘‘seriously considering’’ the switch after the Sydney Roosters reached out to his agent Warren Alcock.
‘‘We are talking to NZR and other parties that have approached us,’’ Alcock told
Perenara is contracted to New Zealand Rugby until the end of this year, and the All Blacks halfback and former Hurricanes cocaptain is plying his trade in the Japanese Top League with the Red Hurricanes, choosing to take up the shortterm contract overseas late last year.
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said he touched base with Perenara last week as he attempts to get Perenara back in the capital.
‘‘I had a long Zoom call with him and his manager and spoke about the Hurricanes and the All Blacks. We didn’t talk about rugby league, just talked about the Hurricanes and obviously we’re keen to get him home. He said he’s keen to be a Hurricane and be an All Black again,’’ Lee said.
Lee admitted he was not surprised to see the report, and said the Hurricanes had to do their best to give Perenara the best offer to return to New Zealand Rugby.
‘‘You’re never confident in these conversations because you just don’t know what’s driving someone at this particular time, but I’m pretty confident. I know what we need to do to get TJ home but it doesn’t surprise me there might be interest from other sports or at least rugby league.’’
Perenara said last year his Japanese sabbatical ‘‘doesn’t mean it’s the end for me’’ in New Zealand.
However, All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan believes NZ Rugby should think twice about signing the 69cap All Black.
‘‘You can’t resign Perenara,’’ Kirwan said on Sky Sport’s
‘‘I love the man, don’t get me wrong. But who do you want to keep?
‘‘There’s some young guys coming through and for the next World Cup I just think [they need a shot].’’
Kirwan added that in a perfect world, Perenara should be resigned upon his return, but factors like NZ Rugby’s limited resources and developing future talent need to be considered.
That could be a factor in why Perenara is weighing up his options, despite not having any league experience, although his father Thomas was a Junior Kiwi and cousin Henry is an NRL referee. —