Piri Weepu: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
m update Super 14 to Super Rugby |
||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu''' (born 7 September 1983) is a [[New Zealand]] [[rugby union]] [[football]]er. He plays [[Scrum-half (rugby union)|scrum-half]] for the [[All Blacks]] on international level, [[Wellington Lions]] in the [[National Provincial Championship]] and the [[Wellington Hurricanes|Hurricanes]] in the [[Super |
'''Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu''' (born 7 September 1983) is a [[New Zealand]] [[rugby union]] [[football]]er. He plays [[Scrum-half (rugby union)|scrum-half]] for the [[All Blacks]] on international level, [[Wellington Lions]] in the [[National Provincial Championship]] and the [[Wellington Hurricanes|Hurricanes]] in the [[Super Rugby]]. He first won national honours against [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in [[2004]]. In [[2005]] was called back into the All Blacks squad for the first [[Tri Nations Series|Tri Nations]] test during the [[South Africa]]n [[Springboks]], having missed selection for the 2005 [[British and Irish Lions]] tour. He is the brother of former rugby league professional [[Billy Weepu]].<ref name=Todd>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/former-kiwi-prop-todd-named-in-drugring-investigation/2005/08/11/1123353446899.html Watch it and Weepu] ''Sydney Morning Herald'', 12 August 2005</ref> |
||
==Biography== |
==Biography== |
||
Revision as of 18:25, 31 July 2011
| Date of birth | 7 September 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Lower Hutt, NZ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Rugby. 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. He is the brother of former rugby league professional Billy Weepu.[1]
Biography
Of Māori and Niuean descent,[2] 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, 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 does not 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 to be 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.[citation needed]
In 2010 Weepu had arrived in New Plymouth before the match against Ireland when his team left the airport. He ended up getting a ride to the hotel they were staying at.
NRL speculation
There has been interest from the Gold Coast Titans 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.[3] While in 2009 there were rumours that Weepu might join the Newcastle Knights, New Zealand Warriors or the Gold Coast Titans, he extended his union contract until the end of 2010.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Watch it and Weepu Sydney Morning Herald, 12 August 2005
- ^ "Lunch for New Premier of Niue". Governor-General of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 29 July 2008.
- ^ http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/titans-pursue-all-blacks-discard-weepu/2007/07/26/1185339170292.html [dead link]