TJ Perenara to the NRL?

[ploughboy]

@booboo said in TJ Perenara to the NRL?:

Was he given a sabbatical or just not signed up at the conclusion of his previous contract?

good point found this

It’s official: TJ Perenara is trading one Hurricanes team for another, in Japan, but insists it’s not the end of his time playing rugby in New Zealand.

At age 28 the Hurricanes halfback and co-captain is Japan-bound at year’s end, following All Blacks team-mate Beauden Barrett into a big money contract, and will miss next year’s entire Super Rugby campaign in a significant loss for his hometown side who he first played for in 2012.

New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes confirmed Perenara’s departure on Monday, for a one-season sabbatical with Osaka-based NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in early 2021. Details of the imminent deal were first revealed by Stuff on October 7

HURRICANES
All Blacks and Hurricanes halfback will miss Super Rugby 2021 to play in Japan.

Perenara looks likely to return for next year’s All Blacks tests and the Hurricanes in Super Rugby 2022, although nothing is yet signed post-2021, with NZR saying it would begin contract negotiations with Perenara’s management “in due course”, regarding his return.

“It doesn’t mean it’s the end for me (here in New Zealand),” Perenara said in a video thanking Hurricanes fans for their support. “I’m looking forward to an exciting challenge over in Japan… with a new group of players, a new coaching group and I’m really excited about that adventure for myself and my family.”

Perenara will travel to Australia with the All Blacks this week, then head to Japan at the end of the Rugby Championship.

The Japan Top League, cut short by Covid-19 in 2020, is scheduled to start its new season on January 16 and run until May.

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said while Perenara would be missed, he went with their blessing.

“TJ has been the heart and soul of this team for many years, however I’m sure he has not played his last game in the Hurricanes jersey,” Holland said in a statement.

It means Jamie Booth will likely don the Hurricanes No 9 jersey next year after an impressive season off the bench, while Counties-Manukau’s Johnathan Taumateine is next halfback in line.

NZR general manager professional rugby, Chris Lendrum, said: “TJ has been a long-standing and loyal player for New Zealand Rugby for a decade now and so the opportunity for him to have a break from playing here to have the experience of playing in Japan is a positive for him and his family. We wish him and his wife Greer all the very best and will welcome him back when he returns

Barrett, another new father in recent weeks, will miss Super Rugby with the Blues then return to the All Blacks later next year as part of his contract through to the 2023 World Cup. He signed in July with Tokyo-based Suntory Sungoliath for a reported seven-figure sum.

Japan remains a popular destination for frontline All Blacks to cash in, with Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock others to take up short-term deals within their NZR contracts. It is understood player salaries in Japan, with its hefty corporate backing for clubs, have not taken as significant a drop as in Europe. NZR has had to be flexible with its system and introduce sabbaticals to avoid losing their stars offshore for good.

The Red Hurricanes are coached by South African Johan Ackermann, a recent addition from English club Gloucester, and had New Zealanders Liam Squire, Marty Banks and Tom Marshall on their books this year
Perenarara’s departure is undoubtedly a blow to the Hurricanes who finished third in Super Rugby Aotearoa after a five-match winning streak including victory over the champion Crusaders. He co-skippered the side with Dane Coles, and played full minutes, moving out to first five-eighth when Booth arrived on field in the final quarter.

Perenara made his Hurricanes debut against the Stormers in Cape Town in 2012 and the side won their only title four years later. He quickly became one of their key leaders and, last year, overtook Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith’s joint record of 126 appearances for the Hurricanes.

[Blackeyeagain]

He's a player who almost got to the top spot, personally I thought he had overtaken Aaron Smith 2 or 3 years ago - but then again to me he dropped off and that seamed to coincide with more of a media role - funnily enough maybe the media needed to stop putting a microphone in front of him ala Israel Folau

[Bones]

@blackeyeagain said in TJ Perenara to the NRL?:

He's a player who almost got to the top spot, personally I thought he had overtaken Aaron Smith 2 or 3 years ago - but then again to me he dropped off and that seamed to coincide with more of a media role - funnily enough maybe the media needed to stop putting a microphone in front of him ala Israel Folau

What media role is that? I'm interested to hear how he can be akin to Folau also...

[ACT Crusader]

Well TJ’s on the back page of the Daily Tele, so it’s obviously a done deal with the Sydney Roosters...

[booboo]

So signed with NZR and Canes.

Stuff

[booboo]

Am pleased, but would have liked to see how we went at loigue

[Stargazer]

@booboo You're receiving mail by snail?

[booboo]

@stargazer said in TJ Perenara to the NRL?:

@booboo You're receiving mail by snail?

News wasn't in the right thread.

Thought you at least would be across that.

[Stargazer]

@booboo The Hurricanes thread isn't the right thread?

[Bovidae]

I wonder if TJ's problem getting full insurance coverage made his decision a little easier.