TJ Perenara is proud to see Kiwis do well overseas even if it comes at the expense of the All Blacks, as he prepares to face another former Hurricanes teammate in Italy’s Jayden Hayward.
Perenara said seeing Ireland’s NZ-born midfielder Bundee Aki do so well a week ago in Dublin was a thrill despite the loss.
He also faced Hurricanes captain-turned-England loose forward, Brad Shields, earlier in the tour.
“Not even just the Canes, seeing New Zealand players succeed is quite humbling and it’s cool to be, I guess, a little part of their careers,” Perenara said in Rome.
“Losing to Ireland at the weekend, obviously disappointed and gutted about that, but seeing a mate like Bundee (Aki) on the world stage doing his thing in an Irish jersey even though he probably grew up wanting to play for the All Blacks - I was proud of him for his achievements.”
Turning his attention to Taranaki-born Hayward, who started with the Bulls before playing at the Hurricanes in 2011 and 12, Perenara said he become aware of the how good he was when he moved to the Western Force.
“My first couple of years at the ‘Canes he was midfield cover for Skux (Ma’a Nonu), he come off the bench a lot for the Canes, I think the best footy I saw him play was when he went over to the Force and he played fullback for them, he started kicking goals for them
“When he went to the Force and started carving up for them you got to say what he brought to the table which was awesome.”
With Italy as the season-ending Test, Perenara refuted suggestions the All Blacks had one eye on a summer break after a long season, saying the offseason was a period he struggled with.
“I don’t think the back end of the year is on people’s minds to be completely honest with you, we play this game because we love the game and if anything, that two months not playing the game is the hardest time of the year because we don’t get to go out and do what we love,” Perenara said.
he All Blacks halfback has a different take on end-of-season fatigue, relishing the chance to play before the offseason which he said was tough because they don’t get to do what they love. (Source: Other)
“(There’s) A genuine excitement to get out there and play this game we love and are blessed to be able to play.”
“It’s something I’m looking forward to and the group that’s been selected there, they’re looking forward to it as well, even people who haven’t been selected who have played a lot of minutes this year who want to be playing this game.”
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