Weepu thrown an All Black lifeline
It might be of no consolation to him, but Piri Weepu has been thrown a lifeline to play his way back to Test rugby with his inclusion in the New Zealand Maori team says assistant coach Milton Haig.
It might be of no consolation to him, but Piri Weepu has been thrown a lifeline to play his way back to Test rugby with his inclusion in the New Zealand Maori team says assistant coach Milton Haig.
Weepu is one of four former All Blacks named in a powerful Maori team to contest the Pacific Nations Cup this year, replacing the New Zealand A side.
For this season at least the Maori team, in the absence of New Zealand A, are seen as the best team through which aspiring players can step up to Test rugby.
The disappointment of missing the All Blacks continued for Wellington and Hurricanes half-back Weepu, who was also left out of the World Cup side last year, with Canterbury's Andy Ellis and Waikato's Brendon Leonard being the All Blacks selectors' first choice for the position, and Southland's Jimmy Cowan the back-up.
“He just needs a push across the line for higher honours,” said Haig, himself a former scrum-half.
“He brings a wealth of experience to the Maori side and he's certainly an integral part of us going forward.
“He's pretty keen to get involved obviously, gives him an opportunity to stake his claim (for the All Blacks).”
Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer is another strong candidate in the Maori side for the All Blacks squad touring the northern hemisphere at the end of the year, Head Coach Donny Stevenson said.
“Potentially he could be back-up to Richie McCaw because in the All Blacks squad there is no specialist number seven (as cover) and he could be one of the players they'll look at in the future,” said Stevenson.
“We're quite excited about the quality of our loose forwards, number sevens in particular.”
He said Latimer showed tenacity at the breakdowns in the Super 14 and was accurate around the tackles but needed to put on some muscle to be stronger at the collisions.
Meanwhile, the squad has undergone one alteration with Manawatu and Highlanders lock Hayden Triggs ruled out with a foot injury.
Triggs aggravated a stress fracture during training on Tuesday and has been replaced by Canterbury's Isaac Ross – another member of the Highlanders' Super 14 roster this season.
Stevenson, who will name his side on Thursday to play Tonga in the first match of the Pacific Nations Cup at North Harbour on Saturday, is still well served in the second row with All Blacks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo available.