Justin Marshall: TJ Perenara ‘took advantage’ of All Blacks privilege with ‘political’ haka statement
TJ Perenara leading the haka and former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall. James Foy / Speed Media AU / Iconsportswire
Legendary New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall believes TJ Perenara was wrong to make a political statement while leading the All Blacks haka in Saturday’s Test against Italy in Turin.
Fellow number nine Perenara made his final Test appearance for the All Blacks at the weekend – after signing a three-year contract with Japanese Rugby League One outfit Black Rams Tokyo.
The 32-year-old was leading the haka for the 64th and final time and opted to use the occasion to make a big statement on New Zealand’s controversial Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
The bill has led to protests in New Zealand with critics saying it undermines Maori rights and disrupts established interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi, and have urged the country’s government to abandon it.
‘New Zealand’s founding document’
The Treaty of Waitangi, also known as Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is New Zealand’s founding document and was signed by representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs in 1840.
Perenara is also critical of the bill and before starting the haka against Italy said: “Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te tiriti o Waitangi.”
That translates to: “Forever the strength of the land, forever the strength of independence, forever the Treaty of Waitangi.”
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said the rest of the team were aware of Perenara’s idea and supported it.
“As the leader, they get the opportunity to say something,” Barrett explained after the game which the All Blacks won 29-11. “He said he was going to lead, and say a wee mihi. It was a message of unity, and that’s what he said.”
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson revealed that he was also aware of Perenara’s haka plan as the 89-Test veteran discussed it ahead of the game.
“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,” Robertson told reporters.
“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.”
Marshall feels differently, however, and said Perenara was wrong to express his political views in the All Blacks environment.
‘Can’t fault is TJ Perenara’s passion’
“Look, at the end of the day, what I can’t fault is TJ Perenara’s passion, and the passion that he’s put into the All Blacks shirt and the time that he’s been in it,” he told the Devlin Sports Podcast Network.
“No one could question that. And no one could question the way that he goes out and represents not only the All Blacks, but equally his history, his background, his culture.
“And he’s always done that with the utmost respect for where he’s come from and for New Zealand and what we represent.
“But yeah, I’m on the page that that’s well and good. And you see that in the way he plays for the All Blacks and the way that he leads the haka or performs the haka.
“But anything else in terms of anything to do that’s not about the All Blacks, that’s to be done in your own personal time. That is something that I feel shouldn’t be part of the team. Making any form of statement to any part of New Zealand in any way.
“That is something that’s probably just taking slightly a little bit of an advantage of the fact that you’re able to do it.
“But nobody should be able to have that right. I think it’s something you should just keep to yourself. And in your own personal time, have your views for sure.
“Be strong, but make sure that they are in the right space.”
