Perenara: I made right call
The nearly-Rooster wants to repay debt to game of rugby
TJ Perenara appears in a positive place as he approaches potentially his first start for the All Blacks in a year. This year could have evolved differently for Perenara — he could have lined up in the NRL finals in North Queensland this weekend rather than featuring for the All Blacks.
Two months ago, Perenara was on the cusp of switching codes and signing with the Sydney Roosters but — having opted to stay with rugby after returning to New Zealand from his six-month stint in Japan — the halfback feels vindicated.
Easing his way back into the New Zealand game, Perenara first savoured the chance to make several appearances for his home-town Porirua club side, Norths.
“Coming back and playing club rugby with some of my best mates and my nephew was really cool, and to be able to give back to my club at this point in my career . . . I was really grateful for that,” Perenara said.
Despite the strong lure of testing his skills as a dummy half in the NRL, even if just for one season, Perenara was immediately satisfied with his decision to re-sign with the Hurricanes in May.
“It was cemented when I came home, out of isolation, and trained with the Hurricanes. Being back in the facilities, around the team . . . let me know I’d made the right call.
“Although things were touch and go there for a bit, being able to come home and give back to my club, stay with the Hurricanes, stay around home with my family and pursue the black jersey, it definitely cemented that.”
Fast forward to last weekend and Perenara came off the All Blacks bench for the second time this season. His 26-minute cameo, after replacing Brad Weber, included a stunning tryassist that featured an intercept, two right-foot steps and a left-footed cross-field kick to send George Bridge over for a five-pointer.
“I didn’t know it would be Bridgey but I knew someone would be out there. We pride ourselves on getting forward on line breaks, so when someone does make a split, a bunch of the
boys will get their heads down and try to get up the field to be in support.”
The All Blacks have made no secret of their intent to rotate their three halfbacks — Weber, Perenara and Finlay Christie — during the Rugby Championship in Aaron Smith’s absence.
Weber impressed in his start against the Wallabies with largely crisp delivery and sharp decisionmaking, but with the Pumas looming on Sunday, Perenara’s combative, defensive qualities are expected to be preferred.
He last started for the All Blacks in the loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane 10 months ago but knows the Pumas
well — with five of his 17 appearances in the No 9 jersey coming against the Argentinians.
With Smith having a mortgage on the All Blacks halfback role since 2012, opportunities to start have been rare. No one knows this more than Perenara, with 54 of his 71 tests off the bench. Should he get the chance this week he will, therefore, be keen to make an impression.
“We understand it’s a different beast this week. Argentina are a very big team, they play with a lot of speed and passion and they’re very physical. We will need to adjust our tactics.
“Nug [Smith] is obviously a quality player, but even when he is in the environment, that’s the attitude we all have. We all want to be the best player. All of us as nines have the same drive to want to be the starting halfback.”
Perenara’s time in Japan provided a new appreciation to the point he feels he owes rugby a debt of gratitude.
“My perspective of the game and professional rugby has changed from the experiences I’ve had since I’ve been overseas.”
Weber made the most of his chance last week to set the bar in Smith’s absence. It may now be Perenara’s turn to seize an opportunity he went close to spurning.