Weepu joining the Heartland with Wairarapa Bush
Former All Black Piri Weepu looks set to sign for Wairarapa-bush for their 2017 Heartland Championship campaign.
It would be the province’s second major coup in two years.
Former All Black Zac Guildford played for them last season.
Wairarapa-bush chief Tony Hargood confirmed he was in discussions with the 71-test veteran but ’’could not confirm or deny’’ an imminent signing.
‘‘We are optimistic but will know more by the weekend,’’ he said.
The 33-year-old was a key figure in the All Blacks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. Hargood said Guildford proved a very good experiment for the union, so their strategy was to try to find another top-class player near the end of his career.
‘‘Having Zac certainly lifted the performance of a few players around him and there are a few of these sorts of guys floating around,’’ Hargood said.
‘‘We were looking for another marquee player and a friend of a friend of a friend suggested Piri might be interested.’’
Hargood said he believed Weepu wasn’t quite ready to hang up his boots.
‘‘I understand he was keen to give something back and finish his career at grassroots level.’’
Hargood said it was similar with Hosea Gear, while former All Black Hika Elliott used the Heartland Championships to get back to fitness by playing for East Coast
‘‘It’s great to have these guys around, it certainly lifts the interest in the Heartland, which is great.’’
Weepu returned to New Zealand a few weeks ago and was part Sky Sport’s commentary team for the All Blacks-lions test at Eden Park.
Originally a stalwart of the Hurricanes before joining up with the Blues, Weepu then signed up English club, London Welsh.
After being released from London Welsh he joined Wasps on a short-term deal.
Weepu was then contracted by French side Oyonnax but was axed six months into a two-year-deal, which saw him awarded damages.
South Canterbury coach Barry Matthews said it would be great for the Heartland Championship if Weepu signed with Wairarapa Bush.
‘‘His experience and mana would certainly add something but I don’t think he will be the threat he once was.’’
South Canterbury play Wairarapa Bush in Timaru on October 7.
Wairarapa-bush won the Meads Cup in the inaugural year of the championship in 2006 but since then they have not had any silverware.
Guilford’s year with Wairarapa-bush paid off and he has signed to play for the Waikato’s Mitre 10 Cup side.