With two All Blacks to choose from, new Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw will have plenty of options at halfback next season.
TJ Perenara is on track to return from his Achilles injury and should be available for the first two rounds of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, according to Laidlaw.
Perenara has not played any rugby this year since suffering a long-term injury during the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour in 2022.
When he returns, Perenara will face a battle to reclaim the Hurricanes’ No. 9 jersey after Cam Roigard took advantage of his senior teammate’s absence.
Last season, the 22-year-old had a breakout season for the Hurricanes, scoring a team-high nine tries.
Roigard’s eye-catching performances with the ‘Canes earned him a test debut and a spot in the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad.
He appears to be the best bet to kick on and replace Aaron Smith as New Zealand’s first-choice halfback, though Perenara should not be overlooked.
Although Super Rugby squads will be weaker across the board next year as a result of the post-World Cup exodus of top-tier talent, Laidlaw inherits a squad that is deep in some key positions, most notably at halfback.
Laidlaw predicted that the competition between Perenara and Roigard would be fierce, bringing out the best in both men.
With Jamie Booth departing, Richard Judd will fill in as the squad’s third halfback.
“Competition for places is always a luxury.” “You need good nines, good tens, and good decision makers to win big games and competitions,” Laidlaw said.
“Having two All Blacks in the same position is a huge plus.” Is TJ a competitor? Yes, but Cam is as well. He’s not going to sit back and relax. He has big plans for the future and what the next four years hold for him.
“They’re working together, bringing out the best in each other, alongside Richard Judd, and we’ve got young Jordi Viljoen from Manawat coming in behind that.” We’re very fortunate to have some real strength in that position.”
Meanwhile, Laidlaw confirmed that the Hurricanes will not join the Crusaders, Blues, and Chiefs in heading offshore for pre-season training.
The champion Crusaders will travel to Europe to face Bristol and Munster, while the Blues and Chiefs will face Japan’s top sides.
“We’re bunkering down in Upper Hutt,” said Laidlaw. “Some teams have the opportunity to travel abroad, but I honestly believe we don’t need that right now.”
“We’re a new group, and we’re on the road in Australia for the first two weeks of the season.” We don’t need to be on the road any longer to accomplish this.
“We also have two games [overseas] back-to-back in the middle of the season, so our team bonding and time on the road will come.”
The Hurricanes will play pre-season games against the Highlanders in Queenstown on February 9 and Moana Pasifika at their NCIS base the following week. On February 24, they will play the Western Force in Perth.
