CHRISTCHURCH, June 16 (Reuters) – Wellington Hurricanes
scrumhalf TJ Perenara will sit out the remainder of the Super
Rugby season after he broke his left ankle in a match against
Queensland Reds on Friday.
The 20-year-old, whose superb form for the Hurricanes had
vaulted him into All Blacks contention, would need to have
surgery on the ankle and was expected to be out for between four
and six months, the Hurricanes said on Saturday.
“It is devastating for TJ to have suffered this serious
injury when he has been in such good form for the Hurricanes
this season,” coach Mark Hammett said in a statement.
“But TJ is a focused and dedicated player so we know he will
work hard in his recovery to come back better and stronger.”
Perenara was injured while scoring a try in the 78th minute
of the 36-7 victory on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.
The match was not part of the official Super Rugby
competition, which is not being played during the three-week
international window as Ireland, England and Wales tour the
SANZAR nations of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
Perenara was considered unlucky not to be selected in a
wider All Blacks training squad ahead of the June tests, with
coach Steve Hansen saying they were aware of his ability but
wanted to see how he finished the Super Rugby season before they
promoted him to internationals.
Super Rugby resumes on June 29, with the sixth-placed
Hurricanes to play the Canterbury Crusaders on June 30 in
Christchurch.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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