Henry Edward Perenara (born 16 June 1980) is a New Zealand rugby league former referee and professional footballer who represented New Zealand. He played as a , though he could also play in the . He is also the first NRL referee in history to send off a player for an alleged bite, he sent Kevin Proctor off in the Round 14 match of 2020, when Cronulla-Sutherland played against the Gold Coast.
Background Perenara was born in Auckland, New Zealand.
He is a brother of Marcus Perenara and is a cousin of Sonny Bill Williams, and Hurricanes and All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara.
Early years Attending Lynfield College, Perenara played for the New Lynn Stags and Bay Roskill Vikings and represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1998.New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.181Bay Roskill Rugby League Inc aucklandleague.co.nz
Playing career In 1999, while under contract to the Warriors, Perenara played for Auckland North in the National Provincial Competition. He was part of the Glenora Bears side that dominated the Auckland Rugby League competition that year, winning the Roope Rooster, Ruataki Shield and Fox Memorial.
Perenara played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Melbourne Storm, Auckland Warriors and Parramatta in the National Rugby League competition.
Referee career Perenara retired as a player in 2007 to join the National Rugby League's referee cadet programme.Perenara quits to become a referee Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 2007 He made his first grade referee debut in 2011.
He was to make his Test debut on 6 October however the scheduled Test between the New Zealand national rugby league team and the Cook Islands was cancelled. Instead, Perenara's Test debut came on 29 October 2011 when he controlled the Four Nations match between England and Wales. He was named the 2011 New Zealand Rugby League's referee of the year.Perenara's refereeing career given another boost rleague.com, 2 November 2011 He is one of only four New Zealanders to play for New Zealand and referee a test match.In Touch New Zealand Rugby League, December 2011
In mid April 2021 Perenara retired at the age of 41 due to a heart condition. Perenara revealed to the Daily Telegraph he had been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting.
References
External links Henry Perenara Official Player Profile NRL player profile