A LIVEWIRE halfback and extraordinary scavenger of the ball, the competitive Thomas “TJ” Perenara has been at the top of his game for close to a decade.  

His potential was first spotted at Mana College in Wellington, when Perenara was part of the New Zealand Schools side in 2009 and 2010. Soon after he made his debut for the Wellington Lions. He won the 2011 Junior World Championship with New Zealand Under 20, alongside several of his All Blacks teammates.  

Perenara has played 69 Tests for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2014.  

He is the most-capped Hurricane of all time and has played 140 games since making his Super Rugby debut in 2012. He won a Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks in 2015 and a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes in 2016.  

He took a sabbatical in Japan in 2021 before returning to the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship and the Hurricanes upcoming Super Rugby season.  

Perenara’s powerful pass and his attacking abilities – in particular, his ability to spot and take gaps in opposition defensive lines – are a key asset.