1
'If I never end up playing again': ABs star TJ Perenara provides injury update
By Finn Morton
Injured All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara has provided an update on his road to recovery, as the test veteran continues to race against the clock ahead of this year’s World Cup in France.
When Perenara ruptured his Achilles during last year’s end-of-season tour, his dream of a third World Cup appearance had seemingly suffered a devastating blow.
The star scrumhalf was seen limping from the field in the dying stages of the All Blacks’ stunning draw with England at Twickenham last year.
Perenara, who has played 80 test matches in the black jersey, was reportedly set for a nine month stint on the sidelines.
It was a cruel blow for one of the stalwarts of New Zealand Rugby, who had only recently been recalled to the national team after falling behind Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava in the depth chart.
But not all hope is lost.
Perenara told Newshub that he’s “confident” about his recovery, and is even hoping to play for the Hurricanes towards the end of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
“I know my body, I understand how my body works, it’s feeling good now,” Perenara told Newshub.
“I feel really confident about my recovery.
“I love the challenge of trying to wake up and be better than I was the day before, that could be one like thing, like today I’m walking better than I walked yesterday and it’s starting to become more natural,” he added.
Perenara has done it all in test rugby, but appears hungrier than ever to book his seat on the plane to France for this year’s World Cup.
Having won the sports most prestigious trophy in 2015, the 31-year-old would add some invaluable experience to the All Blacks setup.
And he isn’t going to let this injury define him or his goals.
“If you’re lucky you might play 30 odd games a year, 15 club games and 15 international games. That leaves a lot of other days, 335 days, where you can continue to try and get better.
“Even if I never end up playing again, and touch wood that doesn’t happen, I can build some really good relationships here and some really cool memories for me in the future as well.”
The All Blacks begin their World Cup campaign against hosts France in early September. The countdown to the event is well and truly on.
Before then, rugby fans in the Southern Hemisphere have Super Rugby to look forward to.
Super Rugby Pacific gets underway at the end of this month, with the Crusaders hosting the Chiefs in a blockbuster to start the campaign.
As for Perenara’s Hurricanes, they kick-off their season on February 25th against the Queensland Reds in Townsville.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Five legends to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
3
The appointment I would make to save Steve Borthwick – Andy Goode
4
Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments