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The All Blacks star set to shine again against Los Pumas
The All Blacks head into their second clash against Los Pumas looking to do the double over Argentina in successive weeks, and one player could prove to be crucial in achieving that goal.
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After being handed his first start of the year in last week’s 39-0 thumping of the Argentines on the Gold Coast, halfback TJ Perenara has been reinstated in the No 9 jersey for this week’s re-match at Suncorp Stadium.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod this week, Crusaders and Maori All Blacks halfback Bryn Hall was full of praise for Perenara as he pinpointed the 29-year-old as one of the standouts in New Zealand’s most recent victory.
Highlighting Perenara’s high-tempo contribution, strong defensive presence and quick distribution, Hall said the 72-test international caught the eye at Cbus Super Stadium and could replicate his efforts in Brisbane on Saturday.
“A guy I thought played tremendously well was TJ Perenara,” Hall told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“He had 99 passes, and we talked about the difference between him and Brad [Weber] around quick ball. I thought that’s the quickest I’ve seen TJ get to the ball.”
Hall added the influence of the All Blacks coaching staff, as well as that of All Blacks trainer Nic Gill, seems to have positively impacted Perenara’s game, which proved to be beneficial for the Kiwis last week.
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“He just seems hungry and ready and hasn’t missed a beat. I thought he was outstanding, and probably that first 20-30 minutes, he really got the ball out and was trying to get the ball going to tempo.
“The All Blacks wanted to, early on, switch back play, being able to use the switch play, and attack that, whether that be a kick.
“They probably would have thought maybe 50/22 opportunities as well that they maybe saw early on, but I thought TJ then opened up his game around all his array of skills around the heart defence, interplays with Sevu [Reece] and Brodie Retallick around that heart defence, and the tempo as well, the quick taps for the try where Beaudy gives that ball to Jacobson.
“I thought he was outstanding on the weekend. We talk around competitiveness around that position, but I thought TJ was outstanding. He was just a notable mention throughout a lot of All Blacks that played well in that test match.”
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Ex-All Blacks and Blues hooker James Parsons agreed with Hall as he noted that the work of the All Blacks forward pack helped Perenara shine against Argentina.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper expects more of the same, only better from South Africa as their world No 1 status goes on the line in Brisbane. #AllBlacks #Springboks #Wallabies #RugbyChampionship #TRC2021 https://t.co/twAXEEfotJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2021
Nevertheless, the former two-test international said that Perenara had imposed himself well in the battle for the starting halfback role in the All Blacks in the absence of the incumbent Aaron Smith.
“I think he’ll thank his numbers one to eight because if you get good, fast, accurate cleans and simple targets, it means that ball’s going to be fast when you’ve got access to it,” Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“Because they provided that platform, it allowed him to really shine and show his triple-threat game, which was great to see, and I agree, I thought he was massive and made a huge statement, as did Brad Weber when he came on as well.
“I thought he made great impact as well, so there’s certainly a lot of competition in that No 9 jersey at the moment.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments