By Simon Hampton
Is TJ Perenara the most unlucky player from the All Blacks squad naming?
Interesting question.
Look, he is there in the All Blacks right now but if Tawera Kerr-Barlow could have been fit one week earlier, he wouldn't be. He'd be dropped.
It'd be harsh on Perenara, he's been in good form. I would not say he's set the world on fire
with his form but he's put in regular, solid shifts and let's not forget he's now the Hurricanes vice-captain, so has a bit more expectation on his shoulders.
He did, also, get the better of Aaron Smith in the Hurricanes 27-20 win over the Highlanders last Friday, although that looked like a more concentrated team effort from the Canes.
So, tough? Yes. unlucky? I don't think so.
This is an All Black management that's set a pretty firm precedent that if you're injured, you don't lose your place in the team.
Kerr-Barlow was the reserve halfback to undisputed number one Aaron Smith at the World Cup Final last year, the last Test the All Blacks played.
Kerr-Barlow's battled concussion this season, and hasn't played since April due to a broken hand. It's a big call from the All Blacks selectors to name a guy that, by the first Test, won't have played for six weeks.
But it speaks volumes about their loyalty to players who are injured.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow is the incumbent back up, and until he plays himself out of that role, it'll remain that way.
It'll now be interesting to see how Chiefs coach Dave Rennie approaches it when Super Rugby returns, with the in form Brad Weber doing an admirable job in Kerr-Barlow's absence.
There's no guarantee the 25-year-old will walk back into the Chiefs number nine jersey.
As for Perenara, I don't think he's unlucky. He's still clearly in the selectors frame of mind, and if he continues his solid form for the Hurricanes he should feature come Rugby Championship time.
Newshub.