‘Always gonna be home’: TJ Perenara looks ahead to last Test in New Zealand

This is TJ Perenara’s last dance as an All Black at Wellington’s Sky Stadium. Perenara has played more than 85 Test matches in the famed black jersey and is a 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, but the man from Porirua is now just a day away from a farewell Test.

In August, it was announced that Perenara would head off-shore at the end of 2024 after signing a multi-year deal in Japan Rugby League One. The three-year deal means Perenara will no longer be eligible to represent New Zealand’s national rugby team.

That has made The Rugby Championship a series of lasts for the 32-year-old, who has now played his final Tests against Argentina, South Africa, and soon Australia as well. Perenara will start in the No. 9 jumper when the All Blacks host the Wallabies on Saturday evening.

Windy Wellington is a city that’s well and truly caught up in the hype of such an intriguing clash between two traditional rivals. Billboards are advertising the Test, All Blacks flags are around the city, and it’s hard not to notice the floodlights of Sky Stadium peering over the waterfront.

The stage is set for Perenara and the All Blacks.

This is it. One last Test at home.

“It’s pretty cool that the last Test in New Zealand this year is at home,” Perenara told reporters on Thursday.

“Obviously, I’m going overseas at the end of the year so the opportunity to represent the country is not there again after this year.

“… Home is always gonna be home,” he added later. “Every opportunity we get to put on the black jersey I’m grateful for but to be able to do it at home in front of your friends and family and the fans that I’ve played for, for my whole career is pretty special.”

Since returning from a devastating Achilles rupture that kept the veteran All Black on the sidelines from November 2022 to earlier this year, Perenara has come back in some truly brilliant form.

Perenara started the season behind Cam Roigard on the Hurricanes’ depth chart at halfback but after the latter was injured during a clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin, Perenara was thrust back into the starting side and didn’t skip a beat.

This year, Perenara became the out-right top try-scorer in Super Rugby history and was rewarded with a return to the All Blacks. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the nation’s best options at No. 9, but the man himself doesn’t regret leaving Aotearoa.

“Not at this stage,” Perenara said.

“When you look back on your career later on you might have some, you might not, but I’m content with my decision. I’m really looking forward to obviously playing this game and whatever the rest of the year holds but then getting over to Japan, spending more time with my family, playing in a new competition over there as well.

“It’s something I’m looking forward to.”

It’s fitting that coach Scott Robertson has selected Beauden Barrett at flyhalf as Perenara’s halves partner. The two have played a lot of rugby together over the years, including the Hurricanes’ triumph in the 2016 Super Rugby Final here in Wellington.

Perenara and Barrett; back together again in Wellington.

It’s almost poetic.

“It’d be cool man, it’d be cool.

“When they named the team the other day and I saw Baz’s name at 10, we played a lot of games as nine and 10 for the Hurricanes and a lot in this stadium together so to be able to go out there with my bro at 10 is something I’m excited for and something I cherish.”