Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: TJ Perenara's left problems behind for the All Blacks

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

So, it looks like the rugby bosses may have already realised how big a mistake they made with that haka, because we've now learned they've cut TJ Perenara's political bit in the version they've uploaded to their social media accounts.

And if they've done this because they realise they’ve made a mistake, they’re right.

Big mistake from the All Blacks, big mistake from Scott Robertson to say yes to TJ when he said he was going to do this.

Let's just clears something up first - TJ is entitled, like we all are, to have a political opinion. No one will be surprised that he supported the hīkoi, because we know where he stands on things. He's already supported the Ihumātao and supported the Wellington women's team when they did their anti-Government haka.

This is not a TJ problem, this is an All Blacks problem.

Because the All Blacks are not in position where they can afford to lose fans and viewers, especially when so many of us are already talking about how much more we prefer watching the Warriors.

The problem the All Blacks have got is that their most rusted-on viewers would be heartland New Zealand. Farmers, people from rural communities, old blokes who feel loyal to the game. And I reckon quite a few them would disagree with TJ on whether to support the hīkoi or not.

And given how intense this Treaty Principles Bill and hīkoi debate is, I reckon a few of them will feel quite annoyed at TJ presuming that he represents the views of the whole country with that haka, because he doesn't.

He might find, based on the most recent polling, that almost twice as many Kiwis like Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill and therefore not the hīkoi.

So for TJ, well-known anti-meat, anti-Government chap - there's no problem at all as he heads off on a new career.

But for NZ Rugby fighting to retain its audience and Scott Robertson fighting to prove himself as the team's new coach - big mistake.

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