Hansen backs embattled Weepu
3 Jun 2012
Piri Weepu has made New Zealand’s 30-man squad for their Test series against Ireland despite poor Super Rugby form.
Weepu, who was central to the All Blacks’ success in the 2011 World Cup, has struggled with the Blues in Super Rugby and recently lost his starting position.
However, coach Steve Hansen is known to be a big admirer and his inclusion will not be a shock to those who have followed his offerings on the scrumhalf. He has, however, been put on a strict conditioning programme after failing to manage his weight.
The Highlanders’ Aaron Smith is the other scrumhalf in the squad, meaning there is no place for Andy Ellis. Smith was one of seven uncapped players named for the Three-test series that begins on 9 June at Eden Park in Auckland.
‘Aaron Smith we see as a player very similar to a guy called Graeme Bachop who was a great passing halfback,’ said Hansen. ‘He brings something we haven’t had for a wee while.
‘Then we wanted to keep some experience, and it came down to either Piri or Andy and we felt with Piri’s added ability to goal-kick, and play first five if we get a double-injury, they’re advantages.
‘Piri is also the incumbent No 1 All Black halfback who played extremely well at the World Cup and without him I think we may have struggled to achieve what we achieved.’
New Zealand squad
Backs – Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Julian Savea*, Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Tamati Ellison, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett*, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith*, Piri Weepu
Forwards – Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Victor Vito, Adam Thomson, Sam Cane*, Luke Romano*, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick*, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Tameifuna*, Tony Woodcock
* indicates uncapped player
22 Comments
3 Jun 2012, 08:24 am
piri is fat and unfit,not embattled
he can only blame himself.
3 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
Piri is a big game player like Maa he will be in great form by the time the tri nations
nations come around i dont think he blaming anyone about his weight .
3 Jun 2012, 11:51 am
Nothing to scary in this team,Piri is the only one that may lift eyebrows.Good to see some new guys in the mix.At least there is none of the wailing and gnashing of teeth,that is being immitted from the Spingbok thread!
3 Jun 2012, 12:22 pm
there has to be a maori in the team to lead the Haka – even if he is fat, unfit and ugly.
3 Jun 2012, 12:27 pm
@RL(RL)-4:
Plenty of Maori to lead the Haka RL.
Ellison, Weepu, Gear, Aaron Smith,
3 Jun 2012, 12:50 pm
what a joke.
Piri should never be in picture
3 Jun 2012, 13:03 pm
He can also sub as a prop or hooker…just slower.
3 Jun 2012, 13:04 pm
Uh oh now his mom will want to have words with me.
3 Jun 2012, 13:10 pm
AB selectors told Peri 4 weeks ago he needed to lose weight.
In 4 weeks Peri lost 10kg.
Peri is back.
3 Jun 2012, 13:55 pm
@cane(cane)-9: what did he do – take a dump in the toilet
3 Jun 2012, 16:25 pm
Got to feel sorry for Andy Ellis, form halfback of NZ rugby and only second to Hougaard overall. Not sure what Fruen has to do to make the squad. Messam would have been my pick over Thomson and Hoeata over Ali Williams. Andre Taylor is another unlucky candidate, but understand that Ben Smith has been in great form as well and Dagg is class at test level.
Tameifuna, Retallick, Barrett, A.Smith, Savea, all played in very successful NZ U20 sides and great to see new stock in the squad.
Would like to see NZ A side feature Taylor, Ranger, Fruen, Crotty, Masaga, Noakes, Tom Taylor, Ellis, Messam, Hoeata, Todd, Coles, May, Shields, Wulf, Donnelly, Etc.
3 Jun 2012, 18:56 pm
Think New Zealand could have two strong squads:
Every person has their preferences but if teams are picked on form then Liam Messam should be there ahead of Cane, Ali Williams deserves his call up hes been good in a weak Blues side
I would have included:
Rene Ranger
Robbie Freuan
Liam Messam
Andy Ellis
And I would have dropped:
Piri Weepu
Sam Cane (could have trained with squad like Kolisi with boks)
Zac Guildford
Julian Savea
However if you pick a New Zealand A Side they could beat some teams in world rugby easily imagine:
15 Andre Taylor
14 Leleila Masaga
13 Robbie Freuan
12 Ryan Crotty
11 Rene Ranger
10 Mike Delany
9 Andy Ellis
8 Liam Messam
7 Matt Todd
6 Daniel Braid
5 Tom Donnelly
4 Jarrad Hoeata
3 Ben May
2 Dane Coles
1 Charlie Faumaauina
4 Jun 2012, 00:07 am
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-12:
agreed. a NZ C side could beat most international sides
4 Jun 2012, 00:08 am
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-11:
How is Ellis the second best hb in comp. Perenara is better,Genia far and away the no1 half in Super Rugby. Hougard ranks behind those three in fact, hes on par with Smith and Kerr Barlow and ahead of the No1 Kiwi half Piri Wiri “second helping” Weepu. Just thinking ,where are all the Aussie halfbacks apart from Genia?
4 Jun 2012, 00:11 am
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-11:
Rene Ranger has to be the most destructive back in world rugby at present and he doesnt get look in
4 Jun 2012, 01:18 am
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-15:
He definitely is an impressive talent,especially going forward-his power and explosiveness in contact few can match.Destructive indeed
But his error rate is also extremely HIGH. His positioning on kicks, his discipline, hands, decision making is very average…Case in point-Blues vs Chiefs this past wknd he scored that ripper of a try to deadlock scores 34 all…But right after that he wasnt in the right position in backplay and Cruden kicked over his head-Ranger let ball bounce and out to touch inside his 22.That mistake put Chiefs in position to pressure Chiefs lineout and set up attack to win game.
He falls in same category as Robbie Freuan….And dare I say Sione Lauaki…Error rate gets punished in Test rugby.
Pity because he is really talented. But then NZ talent is deep in back 3…Just have a look at Julian Savea…he a real stud on the wing-powerful and neat. Sh*t Andre Taylor cant even get a look in…
4 Jun 2012, 01:20 am
Bryce http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KPP0k1GQVM&feature=related
4 Jun 2012, 02:05 am
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-12:
SA A Team
15. Pieterson
14.Le Roux
13.Mapoe
12.De Jongh
11.Aplon
10.Grant
9.van Zyl
8.Johnson
7.Kolisi
6.Brussow
5.W.Steenkamp
4.Bakkies
3.Mujati
2.Liebenberg
1.Greyling
4 Jun 2012, 04:00 am
Piri’s not a wee little pu. He’s pretty big and chunky as far as pu’s go.
4 Jun 2012, 04:13 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-16:
good comparison with Leauki and Fruen
totally agree. These guys with the rugby brain of a Ocnrad Smith would be complete!
the depth in backs kiwis have is deep indeed! Andre taylor would walkinto Bok side
4 Jun 2012, 04:25 am
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-20:
I see Rainger as another Ma’a Nonu, with more games under his belt and hard work, one day we will see consistency in performance.
4 Jun 2012, 05:52 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-21:
Dunno if he’s that good. Agreed going forward, but then 2 minutes later will drop the ball in contact for no apparent reason.
Great squad! Ireland will be in it for the 1st half & we will squeek home by 10ish 27ish-16ish, look for 40 in 2nd game & 50 in 3rd game. All the kids to come on at the hour mark in the 3rd.
Weepu off the bench will look a million bucks when everyone else is rooted.
He is still fat. He’s not that bad, but he was never that good…
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