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Crusaders young gun drafted into All Blacks as TJ Perenara ruled out
By Ned Lester
The All Blacks have given an update on the injury TJ Perenara suffered late in the first half against England in Dunedin, revealing injury cover is needed for the squad’s halfback stocks.
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The diagnosis is not yet clear for Perenara, but medical advice has been delivered that will see the 80-cap All Black sidelined for the second England Test at Eden Park this weekend.
The team revealed Crusaders youngster Noah Hotham is set to join the squad in Auckland as injury cover.
Perenara started at No. 9 in the All Blacks’ opening Test of the year, completing an inspiring recovery after two Achilles surgeries and 594 days out of the international arena.
While the play which saw the 32-year-old go down injured looked horrifically painful, Perenara managed to get back to his feet and finish out the half before being replaced by Finlay Christie.
When asked for any updates following the Test, coach Scott Robertson reported his halfback was in good spirits. and there was optimism it wouldn’t be as serious as suspected.
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The following morning, RugbyPass spotted Perenara moving freely at the All Blacks hotel prior to Robertson’s press conference, where the coach again reiterated optimism while revealing plans for him to see a specialist in Auckland later that day.
TJ paid the price for buggering around when the ball was available to play. The injury would’ve been avoided. I don’t know why #9s pause, look around, scratch their backside, text their mum, etc. Just play the bloody ball.
Huh, no Ratima?
They need a 3rd 9 To come in
Good enough is old enough. He looks the goods the kid and has a strong background.
I reckon Razor is trending in the right direction - now to get rid of Christie lol.
Would like to see Ratima start with Christie on the bench if the occasion is too much for Ratima. That said, Ratima has shown plenty of mettle and would seem well able to cope with test match rugby. His combination with DMac is a huge plus and he has the knack for running support lines that carves up the middle and opens up scoring opportunities. It will be interesting to see what measures the ABs have implemented to counter the rush and dominate the ruck area. Lots of improvements could come out of both camps.
Quick delivery to 10 is also a key attribute of beating Rush D, Ratima has what seems to be the quickest pass. I don’t mind Christie and he has a great box kick on him…just need to play at speed. TJ taking 3-4 steps before passing I’m not a fan off although worked with Perofeta try in weekend (argue that’s poor one on one tackle rather than TJ).
But yeah, Ratima very young so starting such a big test match on debut might be a step too far.
Fantastic to see Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham called up. He was brilliant in his starts for that said team , especially in wins over Chiefs and Blues here in CHCH.
Christie to start and Ratima from the bench. I would of called up Fakatava. He dereseves more opportunities
I wasn't aware that Plummer could play 9,?Perhaps I have missed something?
If the wee ginge goes down we’ll have two brand new green horn halfbacks without a single test between them.
Love it! That’s ol’ school. If they’re good enough to make the team they just be good enough to play.
We don’t reward form enough IMO.
Last time a ‘form’ player started a test was Nehe Milner Skudder and he carried his Super form in his break out year right through to a WC final.
I love watching both of those kids. It’d be baptism by fire but it could also be amazing.