All Blacks great TJ Perenara bowed out from his glittering Test rugby career last November, following New Zealand’s victory against Italy.
The scrumhalf left by making a statement of unity as he led the Haka for a record 64th time.
It came after peaceful protests had taken place around New Zealand in relation to the Treaty Principles Bill.
Perenara showed his support for those opposing the new legislation by the ACT Party. The 33-year-old half-back, born in Porirua and raised in Titahi Bay, began the Haka with the chant: ‘Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te tiriti o Waitangi.’
In English, that translates to: ‘Forever the strength of the land, forever the strength of independence, forever the Treaty of Waitangi.’
But according to The New Zealand Herald, not all members of the squad and staff had been aware that anything was going to be said.
Some individuals were reportedly taken aback by the specific nature of his statements. It is understood that certain coaches and management did not authorize Perenara to make these comments.
Departing All Blacks legend TJ Perenara made a huge statement as he led the haka for a record 64th time against Italy
Perenara appeared to show his support to those contesting the ACT Party’s new Treaty Principals Bill
Some players had known that he would make the statement but among them, a cluster of players had found out a few hours before the game began.
It was Perenara’s 89th cap for New Zealand, with the Kiwis going on to seal a 29-11 victory in Turin.
In November, a nine-day hikoi, a peaceful protest, took place in the country in response to the proposed new bill by the New Zealand coalition government, which could affect the rights and obligations outlined in the Treaty of Waitangi.
But the report claims that the matter of Perenara speaking before the Haka had not been disclosed at a pre-match leaders meeting.
It is understood that the management team had learned that the scrumhalf would not lead the haka if he was unable to offer a message of unity.
‘The coaching team discussed risk-management strategies at that point,’ the Herald writes. But they opted not to remove Perenara from the squad seeing such a move could be problematic and subsequently agreed that he could make the unity statement before the match but they add: ‘the spicifics of what exactly would be said were never discussed’. It is understood that he would give a message of togetherness.
The scrumhalf has declined to comment to the outlet. New Zealand Rugby has also declined comment.
After the match, Perenara said to reporters: ‘Stand and pay respect to our whenua, to our sovereignty, everyone’s sovereignty, and stand tall, stand proud, stand on the Treaty of Waitangi.
Thousands of people gathered outside New Zealand’s parliament to protest the proposed law
It was Perenara’s 89th cap for New Zealand, with the Kiwis going on to seal a 29-11 victory in Turin
The Kiwi scrumhalf has subsequently moved to Japan and join the Ricoh Black Rams
‘I know people might try to make that political or divisive, but for us unity and being together is important, especially in Māori.’
Coach Scott Robertson claimed that ‘everyone was across it’ adding: ‘We asked him to explain what was the concept around it, and he said it was a sign of unity.’
Scott Barrett had also been questioned on Perenara’s comments and was asked whether the 33-year-old had told his team-mates what he was going to say beforehand.
‘He did. He said he was going to lead and say a wee mihi. I guess it was a message of unity and that is what he said,’ Barrett said.
Perenara would subsequently move to Japan and join the Ricoh Black Rams.
