Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed the side are in talks to bring All Blacks star TJ Perenara to the NRL club to help solve their injury crisis.
Speaking after the Roosters’ loss to Melbourne on Friday night, Robinson said the club were interested in the Kiwi ace, after Perenara’s manager revealed this week the parties were negotiating.
“We’ve talked, but it’s preliminary at this stage,” Robinson said.
“That got it out there pretty quickly – we’ve had talks and we’ll see where it gets to.”
Asked whether he believed Perenara, who has 69 New Zealand Test caps but has never played rugby league, could make a quick transition, Robinson said such talk was premature.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s be happy with the report of discussions, but let’s not get too far ahead – how’s he going to play in the first game and all that.
“We’ll take it step by step.”
Robinson said former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who now works part-time with the Roosters, hadn’t been involved in the discussions.
The Roosters have another in, with Perenara’s former All Blacks teammate Sonny Bill Williams playing out his league career with the Tricolours.
Perenara is playing his rugby for NTT Red Hurricanes in the Japan Top League but is known to be a fan of rugby league, with his father Thomas and cousin Henry both former players, the latter now an NRL referee.
While Perenara has played all his rugby at halfback, it’s believed the Roosters are looking at the star as a hooker. The two positions across the codes are similar in attack.
His biggest challenge would be getting up to speed with league’s defensive patterns.
With veteran rake Jake Friend forced into retirement and a spate of injuries, Ben Marschke played in the number nine jumper against the Storm and suffered a late head knock but cleared his HIA test.
Perenara’s deal with New Zealand Rugby is up at the end of 2021, although if given permission he could join the Roosters at the end of the Japan season next month and be available mid-June.
steveng
Roar Rookie
What areas are you talking about? I played 1st grade RL for the Coogee Bay and they were in the East's comp in 1978 the a few years later the East's junior league collapsed and merged with South's.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It was different in the late 60's to mid 70's Bondi was very good but later Bondi started getting expensive and things went off. Then the northern beaches started getting better in those days you were there, my Mr comes from there from Brookvale.
moaman
Roar Guru
Oh I was there a bit later. Melbourne first (St.Kilda) then Mosman, Manly, Dee Why and Avalon......1979-82. Different era I guess. (Mainly) good memories, good times. Just between you and me though mate....few too many Aussies for my taste. :shocked:
steveng
Roar Rookie
When was that?I'm going back to the late 1960' and early 70's but of course I'm not talking about everyone but most of the young kids from NZ in those days as tgere were good pubs with good entertainment, the beach and pretty cheap accomodation.
moaman
Roar Guru
Not every kiwi's first port-of-call; I lived in Sydney for two years and don't think I ever went near Bondi......
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Big Daddy - There must be a mix up I think the roosters made an error, they wanted Henry on their pay books not TJ. :laughing:
Dean
Roar Rookie
More media “insta” loser shenanigans to raise the “profile” of two second level participants.
steveng
Roar Rookie
@Big Daddy, nah mate, I’ve had lots of mates there in those days and got allot of kiki mates now, good blokes. I use to drink there in the late 60′ and 70’s sometimes but especially when the topless sorts were there :laughing: :thumbup: , my drinking hole from 1968 was the Bondi Royal just up the road, I’ve got no problems anywhere mate, I use to drink at the Cauliflower Hotel (best beer on the planet) in those days too with my Bunnie mates
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Why would anyone in NZ Rugby want to play for the Warriors?
Jak
Guest
Good player. Get his fitness up and he’ll do well.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Big Mig, I hope he's a better player than Henry is a referee .
Oranges anyone?
Guest
He’s best suited to orange slicer in a rugby league team.
criag
Roar Rookie
The league allocates junior areas. Maybe speak to them. Or maybe Souths would like to contribute to Easts lack of junior area by giving back the areas they used their influence with the NSWRL to take in the 1950s. In reality, given the lack of juniors they’re allocated, they do a great job developing kids into quality first graders (how’s Latrell working out for you?)
Henry probably has 15 cousins already in the NRL.....They are a large family
Haha have you checked the prices in west Auckland recently?
woodart
Guest
exactly. for a professional team in the self-proclaimed, toughest comp in the world, to be looking at a guy who has NEVER played the game, says, that league has a shallow talent pool, and is desperate for attention.its either kite flying, or a sad indictment on league.
Malo
Guest
He’s got to do it. He would be sensational. I’d love to see the Barrett brothers as well. I can’t believe the warriors don’t target the super rugby no players
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Probably more for clicks than words tbh.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I doubt it. Surely the league is NOT stupid...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
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