All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara says he was blown away by NBA star Russell Westbrook's interest in his culture.

The 26-year-old visited the headquarters of the Oklahoma City Thunder this week as he takes a much deserved break from rugby.

He was pictured gifting two of his All Blacks jerseys to Westbrook and Kiwi centre Steven Adams, one with his starting No 9 and one with his replacement No 21.

GETTY IMAGES All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara leads the haka against Italy in Rome over the weekend.

He wrote in an Instagram post that he felt honoured to speak to the team about the All Blacks and Māori culture.

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"Honour and a privilege to be able to speak to the @okcthunder today about the @allblacks and #Haka. Completely blown away by your hospitality and genuine interest in our culture," Perenara wrote.

The Thunder already have a strong knowledge of Māori culture from Adams, who always keeps his heritage at the forefront of everything he does and has taken many Thunder coaches and players down to New Zealand for his off-season holidays and basketball camps.