PIRI Straight Up

Cups, downs & keeping calm

Piri Weepu with Heather Kidd

 $44.99 RRP (Hodder Moa)

The Saviour, Superman, Super Sub, or just plain superb? Piri Weepu may not actually have divine powers, but he has attracted legions of loyal fans and earned the respect and admiration of players, coaches, his community and family.

Piri’s form and fitness with the Blues attracted criticism in 2012, but his reselection for the All Blacks confirmed the selectors’ faith in him. They know he always steps up when it counts — just as he did for crucial final games at the Rugby World Cup, and this after fighting his way back heroically from a broken leg to make the World Cup squad.

Piri has found fame in rugby as a No. 9 who can play No. 10 and kick goals. He made his provincial debut in 2003 with the Wellington Lions in the NPC, New Zealand Under 21 in 2004, Junior All Blacks and New Zealand Maori in 2005, and with the All Blacks from 2004, earning 56 caps. He has turned out in over 80 Super Rugby games with the Hurricanes and, from 2012, the Blues.

Told with Piri’s trademark humour, humility, warmth and honesty, this look back through his career tells us what makes him tick, and the people, places and passions that supercharge his batteries.

Heather Kidd is an experienced sports writer who currently edits New Zealand’s premier golf magazine, The Cut. She has previously worked as assistant editor of Rugby News and wrote the bestselling

biography of Gordon Tietjens, Titch.

And remember this from the RWC?