Down over 10kg from 2012: Weepu
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Blues back Piri Weepu has returned to pre-season training over 10kg lighter than in 2012 and is fit and raring to go ahead of the Super Rugby campaign.
His franchise revealed Weepu's hugely improved skin fold measurements and in training footage, Weepu cut a lean figure as he got stuck into some conditioning games in the sweltering heat.
"I thought I should keep up with things this year and try and make sure I start a lot better than how I was shape-wise last year," he told the Blues website.
"I've been trying to run the roads and run up some mountains and do anything I can that's cardio along with a little bit of weights in between spending some quality time with my family."
Weepu, whose weight issues last year following the World Cup win were well documented in the media, has been working hard in the off-season.
"I'd like to say I'm in pretty good nick," he said.
"I'm probably around the same as I was on the end of year tour last year so I've been trying to keep everything down and make sure that my numbers are right this time around. I'm pretty excited about it because I'm not as heavy as I was last year when I first came into camp so it's pretty good."
Meanwhile, Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan was thrilled to see his world-class half-back return in great shape but was eager to put the tedious story to rest ahead of Super Rugby.
"He doesn't have to be here firstly which is fantastic and this story is officially dead - he is fit, he is well and he is raring to go," Kirwan said.
"He's come back in and his body weight is good and his skin folds are good. He's not ready to play yet but he's been on holiday and he's done a fantastic job so we're excited to see him.
"It's good to have him in here training with the boys so it's a done deal, talk about something else please."
Comments
Iyhel says...
@passtheball: Weepu didn't win the final but his boot won the QF...
Posted 15:10 25th January 2013
boksmashoffice says...
he did eat a few too many pies after winning world cup (rightly so). Hopefully he will be back to his best. Some competition for 9 jersey
Posted 21:44 23rd January 2013
passtheball says...
NHsaints - Piri didn't really win the World Cup. On the contrary, his goal kicking in the final was woeful and his silly kick pass led to the French try. If he had stayed on NZ would have lost IMO. Also he showed lack of respect for Pat Lam and the Blues by getting himself into such a state of (un) fitness. He is, after all, paid well for the job. Lets hope he is more professional in the future.
Posted 12:24 23rd January 2013
carpelone says...
Hope that Frans Steyn follows his example.
Posted 11:06 23rd January 2013
7ton says...
Good luck to the Guy he has been a great servant to NZ rugby.
Plenty of time for pies when he eventually retires
Posted 22:47 22nd January 2013
JayStarr says...
Good on ya mate ! ;)
Posted 21:18 22nd January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Well done Piri. My skin folds are improving too. And quality time with the family. No sweat either... Apart from along the fold creases.
Posted 20:41 22nd January 2013
shrimps says...
Too good a player to allow weight to be an issue. great to hear the issue has been dealt with for the time being. lets hope he can get back to his best
Posted 19:08 22nd January 2013
NHsaints says...
Well pie jokes aside he's a genuinely very good player when fit, I think he lost himself after winning the world cup...I mean what's left for him after winning a good couple of tri-nations, several tour and visiting tour grandslams and a world cup, not to mention the highs and lows of the 'Piri will fix it' attitude the Nz public had. Either way good to see him back.
Posted 18:00 22nd January 2013
ferdie says...
The NZ Pie Award may now be held by Ben Tameifuna (no relation to popular brand Big Ben's Pies as far as I know), dropped by Hawkes Bay at the end of ITM for being overwight/unfit. He was 'fit' at 140kg . . . Unless he's done some serious dieting in the last 2 months he may get this year's 'who ate the pies' comments.
Posted 11:45 22nd January 2013
IronManI441 says...
Love Weepu and glad he has found the spark again. Must be easy to lose it after be a world cup hero. Just such an intuitive player and great to watch.
Posted 11:10 22nd January 2013
BigRugbyBalls says...
Saw a headline today that read "Auckland Pie Industry in Record Freefall, Massive Job Losses". Any connection?
Posted 11:05 22nd January 2013
DutchWing says...
Looking forward how he will perform then this year around. it will be hot on the half backs in NZ: Perenara back, Kerr-Barlow a year more experience, A Smith & Weepu... Can't wait!
Posted 10:14 22nd January 2013
DutchWing says...
Looking forward how he will perform then this year around. it will be hot on the half backs in NZ: Perenara back, Kerr-Barlow a year more experience, A Smith & Weepu... Can't wait!
Posted 10:14 22nd January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Given the flak he got last year there was never a chance of him repeating the 2011/2012 diet of Spates Gold Medal ale and Steak and Cheese pies, eh. :)
Posted 09:40 22nd January 2013