TJ Perenara shows he has a back-up career in basketball
Despite losing their last match to the Springboks, the All Blacks must feel that they cannot get any better at rugby, and have turned their hands to other sports this week while in the United States.
While training at the St. James complex, the Rugby Championship winners gave American football and basketball a go, where TJ Perenara showed he was a dab hand at the latter. As would be expected from a No9, he could not miss the hoop as he played with him teammates, landing every attempt and gliding past Ardie Savea on one occasion, who towers over him.
Take a look at his skill:
Trying out the local sports 🇺🇸#1874Cup #USAvNZL pic.twitter.com/OsPQNF1Rsr
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 22, 2021
The All Blacks take on the USA in the 1874 Cup Test match at FedExField in Washington DC on Saturday, where Perenara is set to start on the bench, which means his attention may need to switch back to rugby from now on. Finlay Christie is also making his first start at No9.
This match will be only the fourth time the two sides have met, and the first since 2014, where the All Blacks won 74-6 in Chicago. The All Blacks have a 100 percent record against their opponents.
The All Blacks matchday 23:
1. Ethan de Groot (2)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) – captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)
9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)
Replacements:
16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord – new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)
The USA matchday 23:
1. Matt Harmon (4)
2. Dylan Fawsitt (19)
3. Paul Mullen (24)
4. Nate Brakeley (29)
5. Nick Civetta (32)
6. Benjamin Bonasso (1)
7. Hanco Germishuys (26)
8. Cam Dolan (57)
9. Nate Augspurger (30)
10. Luke Carty (5)
11. Ryan Matyas (13)
12. Bryce Campbell (38) – captain
13. Tavite Lopeti (4)
14. Ryan James – new cap
15. Will Hooley (17)
Replacements:
16. Chad Gough – new cap
17. Faka’osi Pifeleti – new cap
18. Dino Waldren (21)
19. Siaosi Mahoni (4)
20. Moni Tonga’uiha (1)
21. Andrew Guerra (5)
22. Michael Baska (2)
23. Mike Dabulas (1)
