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Watch: TJ Perenara fires up and takes on Hawkes Bay prop after teammate chopped
By Sam Smith
All Black halfback TJ Perenara was fired up during Wellington’s Ranfurly Shield challenge with Hawkes Bay, taking on tighthead prop Joe Apikotoa after a dangerous tackle on Asafo Aumua.
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The Lions No 9 immediately went after Apikotoa following a low chop tackle on Aumua, engaging in a scuffle with the front rower which sparked an all-in push and shove from both sides.
Perenara squared up with Apikotoa, a former Wellington-product and ex-Lion himself, pushing him aggressively before the prop returned the favour and floored the All Black halfback.
The chop tackle was deemed to have had no arms, which targetted Aumua’s knees and could have led to serious injury, leaving the referee no choice but to yellow card Apikotoa.
The penalty gave Lions first five Aidan Morgan the chance to level scores right on halftime, which he did, kicking a long range penalty to tie scores 9-all.
Perenara was in the thick of the action after that, scoring the game’s first try and giving Wellington a crucial lead just over a minute into the second half.
The halfback backed up No 8 Peter Lakai in support to pull in a miraculous offload to crash over and give the Lions a 16-9 lead.
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A penalty apiece had the Lions leading by seven points as the clock went red at 19-12 as Hawkes Bay attacked relentlessly with time expired in an attempt to draw the match and retain the Shield.
Perenara was then sin binned himself in the 81st minute after slapping the ball out of halfback Ere Enari’s hands in an act of desperation.
Hawkes Bay’s lineout was then tipped and stolen, leading to a Lions’ penalty to seal the game and win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 2008.
