Piri Weepu

Rugger
name = Piri Weepu


caption =
birthname =
nickname = Pow
dateofbirth =
birthyear = 1983
birthmonth = 9
birthday = 7
placeofbirth = Lower Hutt, New Zealand
allblackno = 1049
allblackid = 1051
dateofdeath =
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height = height|m=1.78
weight = convert|94|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Scrum-Half, Flyhalf
ru_amateuryears =
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ru_nationalteam = New Zealand
ru_nationalyears = 2004–2007, 2008-
ru_nationalcaps = 20
ru_nationalpoints = (20)
ru_ntupdate =
ru_clubyears =77
ru_proclubs =
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints = 23
ru_clubupdate =
super14 = HURru
super14years = 2004–
super14caps = 42
super14points = (83)
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ru_province = Wellington
ru_provinceyears = 2003-
ru_provincecaps = 30
ru_provincepoints = (94)
ru_provinceupdate = 8 June, 2007
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Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu (born 7 September 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super 14. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004. In 2005 was called back into the All Blacks squad for the first Tri Nations test during the South African Springboks, having missed selection for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour.

Weepu hails from Wainuiomata, though as is the custom (for Wainuiomata players to not be considered for representative rugby if playing for Wainuiomata RFC) he played his senior rugby over the hill with Hutt Old Boys, under the tutelage of his mentor DB (Lower Hutt Rugby legend Derek Bruce). He attended Te Aute College.

During the 2006 Super 14 Final Piri Weepu was knocked unconscious during an attempted tackle. However, due to the bizarrely thick fog during the match, the team doctors were unable to see that he had been unconscious. Weepu was allowed to continue to playing, and went on to miss a tackle on Casey Laulala, conceding the match-winning try. Later Weepu admitted that he could not remember the game at all.

He bases his play on his power. He is extremely strong and heavy for a scrumhalf, but his physical condition doesn't seem to detract any agility or speed from his game. He plays a harassing game style, often putting in tackles and forcing errors.

He was the only player in the 2007 reconditioning squad to lose weight over the reconditioning period, implying that much of his mass is attributable to fat rather than muscle. However, as mentioned previously this added weight does not seem to hinder his general play.

Weepu was not selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, announced on 22 July 2007, with Canterbury halfback Andrew Ellis preferred. The selectors cited form and attitude for Weepu's demotion.

He is considered one of the most talented halfbacks in New Zealand because of his unique ability to kick goals and also play No. 10 due to his Rugby League background.

NRL speculation

There has been interest from the Gold Coast to sign Weepu to play rugby league. Gold Coast CEO Michael Searle said "He's a good player with plenty of experience at the top level in rugby union, and it would be good to get him back to rugby league if we can." Weepu has already been offered a formal invitation to play for the Kiwis in the centenary All Golds celebration by the New Zealand Rugby League [http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/titans-pursue-all-blacks-discard-weepu/2007/07/26/1185339170292.html] . He is thinking of playing in the NRL in 2009. Rumours are that he could join the Newcastle Knights, New Zealand Warriors or the Gold Coast Titans as he is unhappy at the Hurricanes. He has extended his contract until the end of 2010.

References

External links

* [http://www.hurricanes.co.nz/index.php?option=com_s14&task=playerProfile&season_id=13&playerID=29&Itemid=8 Hurricanes profile]
*All Blacks|id=1051|name=Piri Weepu