Referee Henry Perenara forced to retire

[Mal Cochrane]

Manly fans will be shattered.

A heart condition has forced former player and long-time NRL referee Henry Perenara into retirement.
Perenara has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting.

The referee had an episode at training a week ago when he almost collapsed.

“I nearly blacked out,” he said.

“I don’t remember much of it but that’s when I had to make the decision to give it away.

“You certainly don’t want to risk it happening in a game.”

Perenara, 40, played 72 NRL games and refereed over 200 matches.

In a stunning admission, Perenara admitted he had secretly battled the disease for almost 15 years. At times it struck him during games but he battled on.

 

[XV-1]

Has he retired from being a video ref as well?

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I hope Henry recovers well and can stay healthy.

 

[Cliffymagic]

Goodluck to Henry. He always seems to have this intense look on his face. Won't miss him reffing our games .

 

[madmax]

I can empathise with Henry......experienced the same thing 3 years ago & believe me it was frightening. Worst part was going in to hospital for an Ablation to try & find the cause. Scariest thing I’ve experienced. Thank God hasn’t happened again. Good luck Henry & wish you a full recovery!

 

[ManlyTragic]

In a stunning admission, Perenara admitted he had secretly battled the disease for almost 15 years. At times it struck him during games but he battled on.

Having a heart condition AND being a NRL referee.... be is a braver man than me! I cannot think of a more stressful job! They get criticised for everything and congratulated for nothing!

hope Perenara’s health improves!

 

[Shoe1]

He is mad to consider signing with the roosters.

 

[wombatgc]

Bit of a worry he knowingly played for 15 years with the condition.
Wont be sad to see him go, but do wish him well healthwise.

 

[simon64]

As someone who has had a blocked artery for at least 14 years, I can empathise with him.

Good luck to him. Hope he lives a long and happy life.

 

[The better Robbo]

Worst ref in the comp! Glad he is not gonna be here to manipulate any more games... Although I do wish him well with his health.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I won't miss Hairy Perineum as a ref but hope his health is ok

 

[globaleagle]

I dearly wished his reffing career would be retired...

but I don't wish him to retire from 'life'.


so thank goodness he is gone and I wish him a speedy recovery.


....supraventricular tachycardia - "an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting."


- I call that trying to do a sit-up

Perenara hangs up the whistle due to heart condition

Veteran referee Henry Perenara has managed a heart condition since his playing days, but the condition got to the point that he couldn’t go on.

www.smh.com.au

 

[robbiea]

Meh

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Henry “ pair of arseholes “ was never kind to us , NEVER.

Pleased he’s gone but do wish him the best in recovering from his health issues.

 

[Ranga]

He did have the best "Try" signal when referring a try to the bunker. You could just tell he practised it in front of the mirror!

I didn't like it when he refereed us (one game at Penrith comes to mind), but over the last few years thought that he was relatively OK. Certainly much better that some of the others running around. Give me Perenara over the Sutton Cartel any day of the week!

 

[MissKate]

I’m sure he will still get to screw us over from the vid ref box

 

[NYEagle]

Most of all I wish him well and hope he stays healthy.

I think another reason he retired though is that he got bored not hearing Todd Greenberg in his ear any more.

NYEagle

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Former Kiwi test player, and credit to him for staying in the game after retiring as a player. Also played for 5 NRL clubs (but it was always pretty obvious Manly wasn't one of them!)

 

[BOZO]

All the best to him and his family

 

[Lyonstomenzies]

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out