Taranaki board to contemplate Perez's future

The Taranaki Rugby Football Union board will meet tomorrow to discuss whether or not to support embattled rep player Paul Perez's bid to escape deportation to Samoa.

TRFU chairman Peter Crawford could say little on the subject yesterday, other than to confirm Perez would be on the board's agenda.

"We'll expect an update from our chief executive on Friday and that's basically where it's at," he said.

Perez, 23, was served with the removal order last week when Immigration New Zealand revoked his work permit after he was convicted earlier this month of domestic assault.

He is also facing a separate assault charge that he intends to plead not guilty to when he appears back in court next week.

Perez's mentor, former Taranaki rugby academy manager Kevin Jones, said the pair were due to meet TRFU chief executive Mark Robinson tomorrow morning.

Jones last week said Perez would need the backing of the union if he was to have any chance of fighting his deportation. Perez, who is halfway though his four-year contract, has made 36 appearances for Taranaki. He was the top try scorer in 2008.

- © Fairfax NZ News