Veteran scrum-half TJ Perenara has been recalled into the wider New Zealand squad ahead of Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia following a last-minute injury.
Blues playmaker Finlay Christie was on standby as emergency cover at scrum-half, but a shoulder injury suffered during Thursday’s training session has ruled him out of contention.
Aaron Smith will become just the 10th All Black to reach 100 caps when he takes to the field on Saturday, while coach Ian Foster named Brad Weber as his bench option at scrum-half.
Perenara, 29, was in line to start for Wellington Lions in their NPC clash against Northland after being released for the provincial competition this week in a bid to regain full match fitness.
The Hurricanes star was involved in a contract tussle in recent months before finally agreeing an extension with New Zealand Rugby, having spent the start of 2021 with the NTT Red Hurricanes in Japan.
The scrum-half was also linked with a potential move to the National Rugby League, and Perenara rejected coach Foster’s suggestion those rumours were simply part of a “negotiation ploy.”
Perenara’s NPC involvement was devised as part of a return-to-play programme with the All Blacks, but Christie’s late injury means he’s now back among the national team ranks.
All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock addressed the media at Friday’s captain’s run and touched on the fiery training session that had led to Christie’s withdrawal.
“Finlay got a bit of a bump and bruise yesterday. We had a pretty intense training and he's just a bit beaten up. I don’t know much more than that,” the 125-cap veteran said.
The New Zealand Herald reported Christie “continues to be assessed,” but it’s unknown at this stage what his prospects are for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Perenara boasts 69 caps and is the natural challenger for the No. 9 jersey behind Smith, but Foster has expressed a desire for the player to get more rugby under his belt after returning from Japan.
Chiefs whiz Weber has proved a competent back-up in his nine All Blacks appearances thus far, while Christie, 25, sparkled as the Blues won the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman tournament earlier this year.
New Zealand will play back-to-back games against the Wallabies at Auckland’s Eden Park before travelling to Perth for the third segment of this year’s Bledisloe Cup on August 28.
Australia haven’t won a game at Eden Park since 1986, however, putting the visitors on the back foot as they look to build on last November’s 24-22 win over the All Blacks in Brisbane.
All Blacks XV: (Forwards) George Bower, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (c), Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea; (Backs) Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece, Damian McKenzie
Reps: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett
Wallabies XV: (Forwards) James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Harry Wilson; (Backs) Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Andrew Kellaway, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Jordan Petaia, Tom Banks
Reps: Jordan Uelese, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Fraser McReight, Jake Gordon, Matt To’omua, Reece Hodge
