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Report: All Blacks halfback set for Japan move in 2021
By Online Editors
Another All Black is set to spend a season in Japan, according to reports out of New Zealand.
Wellington and Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara is on the cusp of inking a deal with a Top League side according to Stuff.
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick spent the 2020 season in Japan until the competition was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Retallick is set to return next season while Beauden Barrett will also be making the move over.
Perenara, a former Super Rugby teammate of Barrett's, is y close to signing with the NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes, a side that currently employs NZ cult hero Marty Banks as well as former Chief Tom Marshall.
The Red Hurricanes have a considerably smaller budget than the likes of Retallick's Kobelco Steelers and Barrett's Suntory Sungoliath, with Perenara set to be their biggest name on the ledger next season.
The 2021 Top League will likely be the last under the current structure, with a revamped competition set to take over in 2022. The final table next year will decide which divisions each team plays in moving forward, which could force a number of sides to stack their squads for the coming season.
Neither the (New Zealand) Hurricanes nor Perenara's agent have confirmed a move for the 28-year-old as yet.
Perenara is currently the All Blacks' second-choice halfback, although he's pushed Aaron Smith in recent years. Perenara, Smith and Brad Weber have all been selected for this month's Bledisloe Cup series.
Should Perenara make the move to Japan next year, he'll miss the entirety of Super Rugby Aotearoa but likely still be available for the mid-year test matches.
Earlier this year, NZR general manager professional rugby, Chris Lendrum, said that more top All Blacks were having flexible arrangements built into their contracts - including sabbaticals.
“It allows our top players to refresh in a different rugby environment but remain committed to New Zealand Rugby which, in the long term, is great for both parties,” he said.
A Japan sojourn for Perenara would mark the first time that a non-first choice All Blacks had been granted a break from rugby in New Zealand.
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Latest Comments
TBH I see SA slipping in this WC cycle Nick. France are never really a top side tho. They just cannot do the same thing consistantly. Ireland and England are more likely to become top sides than France even tho France can beat anyone on any given day. Having said that SA has a lot in their favour in this WC cycle. Hosting many tests like 2 this year v ABs, 4 in 2026 v ABs so in the 4 year cycle thats going to be 3 tests in NZ and 6 in SA.
Go to commentsWhat’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
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