Springboks scrum-half pinpoints the ‘difference’ between All Blacks nines Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara
Cobus Reinach pinpoints the difference between Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara.
Cobus Reinach believes that the Springboks will face a ‘different threat’ in the form All Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara from the one that Aaron Smith posed.
It’s the first time since Smith’s retirement that South Africa and New Zealand do battle with the All Blacks’ great playing his final international in the World Cup final against the Springboks last year.
Smith is the most capped All Blacks‘ nine of all-time representing his country 125 times with Perenara providing cover for him for much of that time, particularly after the 2015 World Cup.
The threat TJ Perenara brings
This year, Scott Robertson has backed the experienced Perenara in the starting role and it is he who will don the number nine jumper against the Springboks on Saturday at Ellis Park.
While Smith’s departure from the black jersey has been a blow for New Zealand, Bok nine Reinach believes that Perenara has his own strengths and pinpointed the difference between the pair.
“Well, Aaron and TJ are very different players,” Reinach said when asked about the pair.
“Aaron has got a pass that will go miles, if he really wants to throw it, while TJ is a bit more of a bigger, strong lad who likes confrontation.
“So, he is a bit more of a running nine.”
All Blacks’ X-factor
Reinach added that with Smith at scrum-half, the All Blacks’ fly-halves would get a great platform to attack from but even after his retirement, the All Blacks have not been forced into changing their approach much.
This is because he believes that the quality in the New Zealand backline means that they have threats all over the park.
“I don’t think their game has changed too much in what they want to do things,” Reinach added.
“They have X-factor everywhere and now they have another one at nine trying to break through and go around the fringes – a different threat you have to be aware of.
“But I mean, they have threats all over Damian McKenzie is X-factor, so is Jordie [Barrett], then you have Beauden at fullback and the quality wings. They don’t have to really change the way they play [based on who is at nine], they just have great players everywhere.”
As for Perenara, he is looking forward to the opportunity of tackling the Springboks in what could be the final two matches in South Africa with the halfback set to hang up his Test boots at the end of the year.
“It’s a massive opportunity for us to come to Ellis Park play against a really good to team and at one of the tough stadiums in the world, so we’re excited about that opportunity,” Perenara said.
