'That's my gut feel': Hurricanes boss Jason Holland breaks silence on TJ Perenara's potential NRL move
Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland is confident TJ Perenara will return to the Wellington-based franchise and the All Blacks as rumours continue to swirl around about the star halfback’s potential move to the NRL.
Perenara has been linked with a high-profile cross-code move to the Sydney Roosters to help alleviate the club’s loss of long-serving hooker Jake Friend.
Roosters head coach Trent Robinson last week confirmed his side’s interest in the 69-test All Black, who is currently on sabbatical in Japan with Top League club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
It has been reported that Sydney have offered Perenara, who is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby this year, a deal worth around A$130,000 to play for the 15-time champions for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Furthermore, Melbourne Storm and Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith revealed on Matty Johns Show last Sunday that Perenara had been in contact with him in February to ask for advice about playing as a No 9 in the 13-man code.
However, Holland told media earlier this week that his “gut feel” is that the 29-year-old will return to rugby union in New Zealand.
“Obviously TJ’s got some pretty interesting offers going on, but I’m pretty sure he’s pretty keen to be an All Black and a Hurricane at the moment,” Holland said ahead of his side’s clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.
Perenara played the last of his 140 matches for the Hurricanes during last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, and the franchise’s most-capped player said his sabbatical in Japan “doesn’t mean it’s the end for me” in New Zealand when he announced his deal with the Red Hurricanes last October.
News of Perenara’s potential switch to the NRL has been widely praised by an array of current and former players from both rugby union and rugby league over the past week.
Among those in union circles to have praised the possible move include the likes of current All Blacks Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Ngani Laumape and Brad Weber, former cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams and ex-Wallabies fullback Matt Burke.
Likewise, current rugby league stars such as Smith, Angus Crichton, Joseph Manu, Brad Takairangi and new Blues recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have all thrown their support behind Perenara’s potential code-hop.
Perenara is likely to be in action for the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Nagoya this Sunday as they square off against the Honda Heat for a place in next week’s Top League quarter-finals.
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Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments