Having re-signed with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby until 2023, Dane Coles is torn about his mate TJ Perenara.
Hurricanes captain against the Chiefs on Friday in the injured Ardie Saveas absence, Coles is closely following reports of Perenaras dalliance with NRL club the Sydney Roosters.
And while he reckons its 50-50 as to whether the All Blacks halfback switches codes, or re-signs with the Hurricanes and NZR, Coles cant hide his excitement at the thought of Perenara playing the 13-man code.
Coles, an avid NRL fan, said he’s 50-50 on whether he thinks his old Hurricanes teammate will actually make the switch.
Mate, huge. The guy is made for league, hes tough, hes fit, hes skilful as much as Id love to see him back in rugby if its a six-month gig for the Roosters, I dont know if many of those will come in your lifetime, Coles said at Hurricanes HQ on Monday.
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I havent spoken to him, but its up to him and his family, but hed be awesome. Hes real competitive, hes got a bit of niggle in him so hed definitely suit the league style.
Asked his gut feeling on whether Perenara joins the Roosters after his current stint in Japan, Coles said: I dont know. Like me hes got a young family, hes a Porirua boy Im 50-50, I havent heard anything, no changing room chat.
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Dane Coles is torn about his Hurricanes and All Blacks mate TJ Perenara and reports hes in the Sydney Roosters sights.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed the clubs interest in Perenara as a potential hooker, and the Sydney Morning Herald reported the club was offering $140,000 for him to join them this season.
Coles continued: Personally, because Im passionate league fan, itd be awesome to see him have a crack.
But if you put your rugby hat on you dont want to lose a guy like that to the game, especially for the Hurricanes and NZR. Ive played a lot of rugby with TJ and you dont get too many guys like that come around. Id love to see him back here as well, so a dollar each way.
Coach Jason Holland was optimistic about Perenara, saying hed spoken briefly to last years co-captain and halfback who signed a one-year deal with Top League club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. Japan’s season is into the playoff phase and ends next month.
Obviously TJ has got some interesting offers going on but Im pretty sure hes pretty keen to be an All Black and a Hurricane at the moment, Holland said.
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Hurricanes coach Jason Holland says hes spoken briefly with TJ Perenara as he weighs up his future.
Asked whether Perenaras management was using the Roosters offer as a bargaining chip with NZR, Holland said: Who knows, I suppose its a tough one when youre high profile and youd be a good rugby union player and a good rugby league player, youre always going to get interest.
I dont know if you have much choice as to whether teams come to you and have a crack at you.
Coles, meanwhile, quipped the New Zealand Warriors would be the only NRL club hed join as he spoke of the decision to play on until the 2023 World Cup and be a one-club man, having debuted for the Hurricanes in 2009.
He considered retirement, but had no offers from overseas and jumped when the Hurricanes approached him about re-signing at 34, having returned to some of his best form.
After Super Rugby [last year] I was at one of those stages in my life, I wasnt really enjoying it, like any workplace when youve been doing it a few years, then getting back into the All Blacks environment it gave me a real freshness and made me realise how much I love the game, Coles said.
Then coming back here and the captaincy, giving it to Ardie has been a good refresher and weight off my shoulders, but still able to contribute and lead and play as well. I did think about it [retirement], but Im glad I stuck around and NZ Rugby and the Canes gave me a chance to stay in New Zealand.
Coles was happy to reclaim the captaincy while Savea recovers from a knee injury which is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks. Holland said he was optimistic Savea would return midway through the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition which runs from May 14 to June 19.