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Report: All Blacks halfback headed to Japan Rugby League One
By Ben Smith
Recalled All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara looks set for his second stint in Japan according to a report by Liam Napier of the New Zealand Herald.
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The 32-year-old had his first stint in Japan in 2021 for the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes before returning to New Zealand and Super Rugby with the Hurricanes.
Having successfully returned from an Achilles injury suffered in late 2022, Perenara returned to vintage form this season and was the first-choice No 9 for the All Blacks to open the season against England.
But having been a long term servant to New Zealand Rugby, Perenara looks set to head back to the land of the rising run with the Black Rams Tokyo at the end of the year according to the report.
Neither party has confirmed the move but it would draw an end to an illustrious career which includes a World U20 Championship in 2011, a Rugby World Cup win in 2015, a Super Rugby title in 2015, among other highlights.
Perenara has the current Super Rugby Pacific try scorer record with 63 in his 163 caps for the Hurricanes, one ahead of Moana Pasifika centre and ex-Hurricanes teammate Julian Savea.
Without another season with the Hurricanes, Perenara’s record could be under threat, but he will leave the Hurricanes as the most capped player in the club’s history.
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With the All Blacks he has 81 Test caps and will be sure to add to that number after being named in the squad for the Rugby Championship.