All Blacks ‘divided’ after TJ Perenara blindsided teammates with ‘overtly political’ haka
TJ Perenara's statement before his final haka reportedly blindsided his teammates and coaches.
TJ Perenara’s final All Blacks haka caused quite a stir in the public last November and now a report has emerged stating that it “blindsided” his teammates and the coaching staff too.
Perenara led the haka for the 64th and final time as he donned the black jersey for the last time last November ahead of joining Japanese Rugby League One side the Black Rams.
The scrum-half used the opportunity to make a big statement on New Zealand’s controversial Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
TJ’s final haka
Critics of the bill say it undermines Maori rights and disrupts established interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Before leading the All Blacks‘ haka for the final time, Perenara said: “Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te tiriti o Waitangi.”
Which translates to: “Forever the strength of the land, forever the strength of independence, forever the Treaty of Waitangi.”
At the time, it was believed that captain Scott Barrett and the backroom staff were all behind Perenara’s idea but a fresh report disputes that.
According to the New Zealand Herald, “senior players, coaches, management and New Zealand Rugby staff feel they were blindsided by the specifics of what TJ Perenara said before leading the haka.”
Additionally, Perenara’s words were spoken without ‘universal approval’ from his teammates and many were unaware that anything would be said at all.
Captain Barrett addressed Perenara’s words after the final whistle of the All Blacks’ 29-11 victory.
“As the leader, they get the opportunity to say something. He said he was going to lead, and say a wee mihi. It was a message of unity, and that’s what he said,” he explained.
Head coach Scott Robertson added: “TJ when he got the right to call (the haka), there’s a part of it at the start he gets in his own words to call it.
“And he’s decided to say that and he has done it with the aspect of unity. It’s his right to say that.
“He said it’s sign of unity. Everyone is across it. He gets his chance to call that and the rest of the team gets to do the haka.”
Divided the All Blacks
The report adds that the haka not only divided the public but the All Blacks senior group as well while the coaches and management “don’t feel they gave their consent” for the scrum-half to politicise the message.
It is alleged that Perenara’s promised message of unity while players and management felt that mentioning the Treat was deemed “overtly political, divisive and unapproved by the whole team.”
Additionally, there was no formal request from the halfback to share a message before the haka, there were informal discussions. However, before kick-off it is reported that Perenara was not willing to lead the haka without being able to offer a message of unity.
Perenara declined to respond to the Herald.
