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TJ Perenara reveals contract bump that saw Japan deal beat NZR
By Ian Cameron
Veteran All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara has gone into further detail about his imminent move to Japan Rugby League One.
It was confirmed this week that the 81 Test All Black has signed a three-year deal with Tokyo Black Rams, a deal that will see him effectively end his long career with the Hurricanes.
Perenara has revealed that the longer contract on the table in Japan was crucial in the decision, as it affords him and his family increased financial security.
"The big reason for us was security as a family," Perenara told the official All Blacks website. "The opportunity to sign a three-year deal in Japan arose and we didn't have three years here in New Zealand."
The 32-year-old started the Test season as a backup behind Cam Roigard , with rookies Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham also now in hot pursuit of the number nine jersey. However, Perenara denies that competition for a Test spot was a factor in his decision to up sticks to the land of the rising sun.
"I was confident in my ability to push other halfbacks in the country to be the best halfback we've got. But we do have a lot of depth."
The move was discussed at length with new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
"We went back and forth a bit, and he was supportive of my decision to stay or go. Having that support from him was encouraging and allowed us to make our decision based on what was going to be good for us as a family and my career."
He also has an eye on coaching after he's hung up his boots.
"It is the easy answer because it's in my mind [coaching]. It's the easiest way I can work with young players and, hopefully, help them throughout their careers so they can have the experiences I had with rugby.
"It's something I would like to do but not for a few years yet."
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
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
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