Piri weepu biography of martin

PETONE, New Zealand -- Even after he had been selected for the All Blacks, Piri Weepu would play for the Hurricanes on Saturdays and then on Sundays, using his middle name, would run out for the Wainuiomata Lions rugby league club. Fourteen years on, and the Rugby World Cup-winner still feels most comfortable there, surrounded by devotees of the 13-man code, in his community.

"I used to play with my old mates," Piri tells ESPN. "We always used to figure out who was going to be there, and trying to work out whether the media would be there. Sometimes I'd put head gear on, or cover my face in mud right from the get go."

Editor's Picks

2 Related

But then he started to worry what would happen if Graham Henry found out. "I remember reading a few articles about when Jerry [Collins] got caught. He played against Wainui and my dad, being him, knew who he was but kept quiet.

"Jerry was just having fun. Every opportunity I'd want to go and play club rugby; even when we had the weekend off, I'd want to play grassroots rugby. It's where it began for me."

In the basin between the Eastern Hutt Hills and the Orongorongos lies Wainuiomata, an area given the nickname 'Nappy Valley' during the 1950s when a number of young families moved into the new housing that was springing up. A community was formed, with the league club at the heart of it.

Piri would spend his childhood traipsing in and out of the clubhouse, as his parents, Kura and Bill, worked tirelessly to keep it running smoothly. He used to stay around until nightfall, when he walked over the road to his aunties, staying close to family and his comfort zone.

The league players were his heroes. He grew up idolising An

London Welsh have confirmed the signing of New Zealand World Cup winning scrum-half Piri Weepu, who will join from the Blues.

London Welsh have confirmed the signing of New Zealand World Cup winning scrum-half Piri Weepu.

Capped 71 times by the All Blacks during an international career spanning 2004 to 2013, Weepu, 30, joins the Exiles from Super Rugby side the Blues.

Weepu scored 103 points in his 71 appearances for the All Blacks and played a leading role in New Zealand's 2011 World Cup success, particularly in their knockout victories over Australia and Argentina, when he was man of the match.

The hugely talented and experienced number nine joined the Blues for the 2012 Super Rugby campaign, after eight seasons with the Hurricanes. At provincial level he played for Auckland and Wellington, as well as representing New Zealand Maori and the All Blacks at U21 level.

He made his senior New Zealand debut in 2004 against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, with cap number 71 coming against France in June 2013.

Weepu will join up with London Welsh at the end of the current Super Rugby campaign and could form an exciting half back partnership at the Exiles in next season's Aviva Premiership with England international fly-half Olly Barkley.

Commenting on joining London Welsh, Weepu said: “I'm hugely excited by the opportunity of joining London Welsh and at the challenge of playing in the Aviva Premiership – consistently one of the best leagues in world rugby.

“London Welsh is an iconic and globally recognised brand in the rugby world and I'm looking forward to linking up with head coach Justin Burnell and my new London Welsh teammates, and helping the club re-establish itself in the top flight and in Oxford.”

London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell said: “It doesn't get much better than being a World Cup winner with 71 caps for the All Blacks – it's a s

RUGBY WORLD: Have you got any nicknames?

PIRI WEEPU: My friends have always called me POW. I’m not really sure why, it’s just stuck since I was young.

RW: How have you found the Aviva Premiership so far?

PW: It’s cool. I didn’t really know the standard of the league before I came and it’s been good. Obviously not so much for Welsh, but we can improve.

RW: Who have you been hanging with?

PW: I hang out with a lot of the boys, but I do have lunch or go for coffee with Taione Vea, or I go round his place to have some kava!

RW: Have you got any hidden talents?

PW: Playing guitar? I will pick it up at a party if no one is playing. I play anything and try to make it work.

RW: Do you have any phobias?

PW: Spiders. The other night one landed on my face and I slapped myself! It fell into my bed and I jumped out.

RW: Who’s the biggest joker you know in rugby?

PW: It’s got to be Ma’a Nonu, he is always ‘down-towelling’ people.

RW: Any pranks you can share with us?

PW: Well Ma’a, Andrew Hore and I play a little game – a stupid game – at moments of big pressure. You make a circle with your forefinger and thumb, and if they don’t put a finger through the circle you get to punch them. So they’ll do it to me and I’ll say, “I’m trying to take a kick!” Hore got it at lineouts, as well.

RW: Do you have any bugbears?

PW: Having to repeat myself. That really pisses me off.

RW: Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with?

PW: Richard Branson. I would just listen to his story about how to become a billionaire. Just to learn about his drive. Because that’s not normal for most people and it can inspire you.

RW: Embarrassing moments on the pitch?

PW: I’ve been pretty lucky, I haven’t really had any big ones.

RW: Who would play you in a movie?

PW: Someone short! Actually someone has played me in the movie The Kick, about Stephen Donald’s winn