The three reasons why a Wallabies legend believes TJ Perenara would be a success in the NRL
TJ Perenara has been backed by a Wallabies legend to make a successful transition to rugby league following a shock report that the All Blacks halfback is in talks to move to the NRL.
1 News revealed on Thursday that Perenara, who is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] this year, is considering a shift to the Sydney Roosters to help answer the club’s shortage of hookers.
The Roosters are short on options at No 9 following the retirement of long-serving dummy half Jake Friend and it’s understood that head coach Trent Robinson has reached out to Perenara’s agent, Warren Alcock, to enquire about the 29-year-old’s services.
The potential move has drawn praise from former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke, who told the Big Sports Breakfast that he believes Perenara would be a great success in the NRL.
“He’s one of the toughest blokes going around,” the 81-test international said. “Whenever you watch the history in those games involving the All Blacks, he is… one, he’s got a great pass. Two, he’s just tenacious. Three, he’s got that bit of mongrel about him.
“He was always a really difficult player to play against and when you watch him run around the park there, he organises like a genius, like a classic No 9 in union or a No 9 in rugby league. I reckon he’ll make the switch and do it really well.”
Burke added that Perenara’s age and his standing as New Zealand’s second-ranked halfback behind Aaron Smith could be decisive factors in his decision to crossover to league.
His comments come after former All Blacks wing Sir John Kirwan said on The Breakdown earlier this week that Perenara’s contract with NZR shouldn’t be extended beyond this year as he believed the national union should instead look to younger players.
“He’s getting on a bit, he’s 29. He’s had a season over in Japan,” Burke told the Big Sports Breakfast.
“There was talk last night, I was watching with the old legend, Sir John Kirwan, saying, ‘Maybe I’d just let him go now, bring some of the younger guys through, looking at France [World Cup] in 2023′.
“You get to the stage where you need a succession plan, and teams and players and countries, coaches, are thinking about bringing that next generation through.
“Do you keep him on there? He could play All Blacks later in the year, no doubt about it. There is another guy there called Aaron Smith before him.”
Former All Blacks wing Julian Savea has seemingly set his sights on the 2023 World Cup by signing a two-year contract extension with the Hurricanes. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #JulianSavea https://t.co/Ws9j7Lol92
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2021
Perenara is currently playing in Japan’s Top League for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes on a sabbatical deal.
Upon the announcement of his temporary move last October, Perenara said his sojourn in Japan “doesn’t mean it’s the end for me” in New Zealand.
Revelations of Perenara’s potential move to the Roosters has cast doubt on that promise, though, but Burke said Robinson’s “out-of-the-box thinking” thinking to recruit from outside of rugby league is “quite incredible”.
Bringing the 69-test All Black to the Bondi-based club wouldn’t be the first time Robinson has sought playing and coaching personnel from rugby union.
Last year, former All Blacks star and two-time NRL champion Sonny Bill Williams was loaned by the Roosters from the Toronto Wolfpack to help alleviate an injury crisis at the backend of last season.
Williams, who was a key figure in Sydney’s run to the 2013 NRL Premiership and is a close friend of Perenara’s, is now part of the club’s off-field staff, as is former France rugby union playmaker Freddie Michalak.
The Roosters also called upon former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika during last year’s campaign, and the 54-year-old is set to coach Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom later this year.
TRANSFER: Perenara is apparently 'seriously considering' the move. https://t.co/WFYqRJPq79
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2021
“This is what I like about Trent Robinson as well, he’s just got this out-of-the-box-type thinking… what an option, if that was the case that he brings someone like Perenara through, then it would be quite incredible,” Burke said.
“I was at uni with Trent, we both studied sports science together back in the day. He went on to do some other stuff in between, the teaching then fell into the coaching side of it, but I just love the way he approaches things – it doesn’t have to be straight down the line black and white.
“He’s always looking for an angle, like bringing Michael Cheika in. We’re not just talking about union blokes in, it’s bringing other people in who can benefit the team and using outside influences to make your team better. It’s brilliant.”
The Roosters currently sit in second place on the NRL standings with four wins from five matches ahead of Friday’s blockbuster clash with the reigning champions Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
Perenara’s Red Hurricanes, meanwhile, have the week off before they enter the second round of the Top League play-offs where they will play the Honda Heat in Nagoya next Sunday.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments