Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

TJ Perenara reveals contract bump that saw Japan deal beat NZR

TJ Perenara post-game in Dublin (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Veteran All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara has gone into further detail about his imminent move to Japan Rugby League One.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

Related

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

England vs Spain | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | Second Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Ireland vs Scotland | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Should the Lions’ last-minute try have stood? | Whistle Watch

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 6

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 29th | George Gregan Stops by to lift spirits after the MCG Madness

Play Video

Historic Lions Series win at the MCG | Ep 7: The Ultimate Test

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
F
Forward pass 365 days ago

Come on Razor. Why arnt you in the Media saying NZR just needs to "keep an open mind" around bringing our Japanese based players back into the ABs. Will you be chasing TJ?

J
Jmann 365 days ago

Jesus - please don't. TJ is a capable backup and right now plays a vital role as a veteran. But the three young guys have acres of more potential in them that TJ has ever had.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 1 hour ago
Damning image of Lion emerges after series win with major backlash online

Well that is scientifically correct but I've never thought of him as being especially short. He seems to be about the same height as Furlong, fairly average prop size. I think his massive quads give the illusion that he's shorter.


https://extra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-70.jpg


Even though squatting the same weight requires more force for someone with longer levers, his max squat may be significantly higher than some other props. There is a vid of him repping out 230kg for a set of 8 and he's reputed to have a 1RM of 350kg so by anyone's standards, regardless of how short you are, that's very strong.

31 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Watch: Possible All Black debutant fends off 30-Test midfielder in the NPC Possible All Black debutant fends off 30-Test midfielder in the NPC