All Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara re-signed with New Zealand rugby on Friday with a four-year deal through to 2021.
“The All Blacks will always be the goal and to be able to chase that dream for another four years here in New Zealand is a challenge I’m looking forward to,” said the 39-Test scrum-half, who will also remain with the Wellington Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
Although most of Perenara’s international career has been off the bench behind Aaron Smith, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he was a key member of the squad.
“He’s an incredibly competitive athlete who has taken his game to another level in recent seasons and he has a great understanding of what it means to be a Test player with close to 40 Tests under his belt,” Hansen said.
“He plays a key role for us both on and off the park… and in fact, has now become one of the senior players in the squad.”
Perenara joins flanker Sam Cane and hooker Codie Taylor in signing through to 2021, while Sam Whitelock, Ben Smith and Anton Lienert-Brown are committed through to 2020.
Another 16 All Blacks, including captain Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams, have inked deals through to the 2019 World Cup. – Agence France-Presse
