Injury sidelines Perenara for nine months
All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara faces a difficult race to be considered for the World Cup after rupturing an Achilles in the draw with England at Twickenham.
Perenara came off the bench to replace Aaron Smith in the 64th minute but had to be helped from the field just before the final whistle in the 25-25 result in London.
It’s a cruel blow for Perenara who battled hard to regain his place in the All Blacks in a hotly contested position. He played the last two tests off the bench in a difficult year for New Zealand.
A disappointed All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed Perenara’s injury fate.
‘‘TJ has ruptured his Achilles,’’ Foster said yesterday.
Perenara now faces up to nine months to regain his fitness, putting him on a tight deadline with the All Blacks’ opening World Cup match against France in Paris on September 8.
He is expected to miss all of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, dealing a massive blow to the Hurricanes.
‘‘We’re gutted for him,’’ Foster said. ‘‘It’s the 78th minute, and he’s innocuously gone to chase a kick, and it’s gone bang, which hurts.’’
It adds heat to the battle for the No 9 position still commanded by veteran Smith.
Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is battling back from rupturing his ACL, after playing two tests against Ireland in July.
Chiefs No 9 Brad Weber and Blues halfback Finlay Christie have everything to play for in next year’s Super Rugby championship.