Long-serving All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is leaving New Zealand to play English club rugby.
Weepu has confirmed he has signed a two-year deal with newly promoted Premiership club London Welsh and is committed to playing their first competition game on September 7 – his 31st birthday.
An accomplished reader of the game, Weepu played the first of his 71 Tests as a 21-year-old but struggled to nail down a starting position over the next decade.
His appearances off the reserve bench are a world Test record and testament to playing second-fiddle for long periods to the likes of Byron Kelleher, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis and incumbent starting No.9 Aaron Smith.
A controversial omission from the 2007 World Cup squad, Weepu made amends with an influential performance in the All Blacks’ surge to victory at the 2011 tournament.
He started all three knockout matches and landed a number of crucial shots at goal as well as controlling play with aplomb.
The 14th most-capped All Black, he is second in the halfback stakes behind Justin Marshall’s 81 Tests.
Weepu scored 103 Test points, including seven tries, and was captain for one midweek game, against Irish club Munster in 2008.
His last Test was more than a year ago, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen preferring a younger group for the past three campaigns.
Weepu, who was diagnosed earlier this season with a hole in his heart after suffering a minor stroke, had also been leapfrogged in Super Rugby as first-choice Blues halfback by Bryn Hall, adding to his desire to look offshore.
“I’m hugely excited by the opportunity of joining London Welsh and at the challenge of playing in the Premiership – consistently one of the best leagues in world rugby,” he said in a statement.
London Welsh coach Justin Burnell says he met Weepu at the world Club 10s tournament in Singapore last month and knew he made a good signing.
“It’s a massive statement of intent from the club in regard to its drive to be able to compete in the Premiership next season – and not just survive,” Burnell said.
“It’s also going to be a fantastic opportunity for the younger players within our squad to mix and learn from a player of Piri’s experience and ability. As a player, his skill set is unbelievable; his kicking game and tactical appreciation are tremendous.”
At provincial level, Weepu played for Auckland and Wellington, as well as representing New Zealand Maori.
He joined the Blues in 2012 after eight seasons with the Hurricanes.
Bakkies
Guest
Sean Doyle from Ulster is going to the Brumbies. Dan Bowden Blues.
english twizz
Guest
all black test worth more but top 14 worth a lot more
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
One way to stem the flow is to make an agreement between SANZAR Nations: Contracts MIN 4 years Require Transfer fees If SANZAR were to align as a group it can work. Longer contracts ensure players are likely "on contract" and seeking a release to play up North. Standard transfer fees usually require the new club to pay out the contract or a percentage on top. Contracts could be made transferable within SANZAR fee free but when players transfer out of SANZAR nations a standard trnafer payment must be paid. The downside is players don't get the chance to go where they want anytime, but as long as Transfer fees are set reasonably in a broad way across SANZAR then there can be a way to penalize Northern Unions who poach players. Also Northern clubs may try to target younger and younger players not on contract. League clubs already do this. So the ARU and NZRU would need to find a way to "sign up" rugby players to some form of contract (even if its unpaid) so as to ensure a transfer fee. E.g. if french clubs didn't pay transfer fees no All Black tests. Just play the other countries. The loser is France because a test is worth millions.
Bakkies
Guest
Willemse would be about 21. CJ Stander left when he was 22. Jake Heenan at Connacht ex Blues is about that age.
Firstxv
Guest
speaking of...do they have whitebait in Bath?
Nek Minnut
Guest
None of them are hasbeens and some are 21 years old like Goosen. I would guess the ave age is about 26 on that list.
Chivas
Guest
Pretty sure they have water cress in England. And I'd guess there would be a few over there who would know how to lay a Hangi for those special occasions. Otherwise a really good excuse to come home more often.
Nek Minnut
Guest
Sure, not everyones leaving and Id say Todd is hoping for an ABs spot after McCaw retires next year. Anscombe looks to be considering test rugby for Wales, Aki hopes to represent Ireland and Lam and Leiua have chosen Samoa. So those that are hoping for test rugby are leaving or staying to get an opportunity and some have chosen countries that select from the NH like Samoa so it doesnt matter if they chase dollars at club level because they can still be selected. Leiua, Lam and Futuali'i are good examples of players that could have played for NZ at some stage but opted for Samoa and overseas instead.
Chivas
Guest
I also think Weepy has shown his value at the Blues... even on old legs he has an old head, which has been gold and worth the admission fee, even for this died in the wool Waikato supporter.
Old Bugger
Guest
Haha - he's gonna miss the pork bones & water-cress boil-ups, rewana and fry bread, kai moana and some rotten corn for dessert. Don't even get me started on steam pudding......
Firstxv
Guest
yes I meant his QF...got over the pie man bizo after his world cup efforts, its certainly his x factor that gets him to this level and I think Carters jockey ads role is safe where Piris comcerned...
Old Bugger
Guest
His QF effort was even better but gees, he would annoy me at the start of each SR campaign when he'd just waddle his way into the pre-season out of shape, out of breath and out of form......lol, that's Piri. He did the t-shirt proud tho - "Keep calm. Piri's here" or something like that and I for one, won't begrudge his efforts in 2011 RWC and his career in NZ. He stepped up and did the deed. Onya Piri - go get 'em bro', stay healthy and enjoy.....you've earned it even if you always enjoyed the very short SR off-season more....
Firstxv
Guest
Wainui boys done good alright...and to think hes recently recovered from a stroke. His World cup semi effort remains his legacy. Stepped up when others fell off for injuries.
jeramiah
Guest
ppl have a choice i just read Matt Todd staying with crusaders so it just depends on the person and what they want
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Struggled to nail down a starting spot is a bit rough. The All Black coaches liked to play their halfbacks in tandem with Weepu better suited off the bench.
Xman
Guest
Pie sales will go down in Auckland and up in England :)
Nek Minnut
Guest
There are plenty of players on that list that were/are test incumbants prior to signing, some on the fringes and some having played tests. Not sure why tests is the thing you are concerned about, we are talking Super Rugby here and remeber there are players such as N.Cummins F.Steyn MMM T.Latimer G.Whitelock F.Levave T.Bateman A.Taylor J.Deysel K.Daniel going to Japan too and it aint over yet.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Would the last person to leave please turn off the lights!
Buzzard
Guest
Geez Nek Minnut...that is scary looking at that list.
ChrisCrus
Guest
Can't see many in that list who would play test rugby. If playing test rugby is the players number one goal then that's great.