Fresh off one of the most challenging years of his rugby career, veteran TJ Perenara has set his sights on a return to the top of the Hurricanes pecking order.
Over the past 14 months, the 80-test All Black halfback has been forced to watch from the sidelines during a lengthy recovery from an Achilles tear, suffered during the 2022 European tour, which was compounded by the need for a second surgery that dramatically extended his rehabilitation period.
He filled an unfamiliar role as spectator during the World Cup in France, when Hurricanes teammate Cam Roigard - off the back of his breakthrough Super Rugby Pacific campaign - stamped his mark as one of the most promising young players in world rugby.
While Roigard is likely now entrenched as the Hurricanes' first-choice halfback, Perenara admits his aim is to wear the No.9 jersey when the season kicks off against Western Force at Perth on February 24.
"I'd love to start in the first game," said Perenara. "Playing for the 'Canes is something I love doing and starting is something I love doing too.
"We've got really good nines at this club and the competition for the spot will be awesome. We're really lucky with the talent we have in this environment, and I'm looking forward to working alongside those players and helping our club win."
Perenara admits watching the World Cup from afar was difficult, but slightly less painful for the fact that follow-up surgery would have made him available to play, even if he had been selected.
Incumbent Aaron Smith's departure for Japan means the black No.9 jersey is also up for grabs, and Perenara believes he and Roigard can leverage their head-to-head competition to become the two leading candidates under new coach Scott Robertson.
"I think we have a very unique opportunity to be the best two nines in the country at one club," he said. "To have the dynamic working between us - whatever that looks like on the field - I think is going to be very important to us winning this competition.
"It will be competitive. Both of us want to play big minutes, which is a good thing, but both of us also want the other person to be playing really well too.
"That's healthy for us and the club, and then going forward into different teams as well, if we can continue to grow and be the best two nines in the country. That will give us a really good opportunity to play together later in the year as well."
The Porirua product knocked back overseas offers to recommit to with NZ Rugby, signing a two-year extension with NZ Rugby in July.
Being denied an entire year in the trenches with his teammates on the field has further justified his decision to stay put, he says, with absence making his desire grow fonder.
"I think the injury itself motivated me the most to stay in New Zealand," he said. "I spent the whole year not playing rugby here and I love this club.
"I love the All Blacks as well. Missing out on a whole year of playing for the Hurricanes and the Lions, and didn't get the opportunity to play for the All Blacks... it made me want that a little bit more.
"For it to be taken away and it not to be my choice, that was hard. That was a big motivator for me to stay in this country."
