Former All Black Justin Marshall believes TJ Perenara “is the man” for the half-back position for New Zealand in their upcoming clash against South Africa.
Perenara, 29, has started in the All Blacks last two outings against Argentina, however with hot competition from Brad Weber, the half-back position could still be up for grabs.
Aaron Smith will not be joining New Zealand in Australia for the remaining three Rugby Championship matches, opening the door for Perenara, Weber and Finlay Christie.
“When he (TJ Perenara) came off the bench for his first game, I thought he struggled a little bit with the pace of the game,” Marshall said on SENZ Mornings with Ian Smith.
“I certainly thought that he was short of a gallop – He’s only grown and is getting back to that player he was before he left for Japan.”
Marshall thinks Perenara will still be Ian Foster’s first choice in their next match-up.
“I think TJ has shown in his late two outings that he is the man for them and can inject that different type of player in the latter parts of the second half,” he said.
“(Perenara is) another player that’s just continually getting better.”
New Zealand will face South Africa on Saturday in the Rugby Championship.