WORLD CUP-WINNING All Black Piri Weepu is set to join Premiership newcomers London Welsh, according to a report in New Zealand.
Rugby Heaven says the 30-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with the English club worth more than €200,000 per annum. Weepu’s Super Rugby side, the Blues, have already confirmed his departure.
The scrum-half suffered a minor stroke in March, but has recovered to feature for the Blues in recent months. A veteran of 71 international appearances, Weepu’s experience would be useful for London Welsh as they aim to avoid immediate relegation back into the Championship.
“He’s been a great Blues man the last four years. He’s a fantastic team man,” said Blues head coach John Kirwan. “He really cares about the players around him. He will be a big loss for us. We were keen for him to stay but we understand fully. He’s had a couple of options on the go.
He’s been a great servant of the game. It’s great for him to go overseas and get a new experience. He’s helped us win a World Cup. He’s been a great All Black. It’s a good natural progression that he rolls on.”
Weepu spent eight seasons with the Hurricanes before joining the Blues ahead of the 2012 season, while the Wellington native played a vital role in New Zealand’s triumphant 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign on home soil.
London Welsh have not yet confirmed the signing, which would be their latest piece of business in an extremely busy summer on the transfer market.
Irishmen Shane Cahill, James Sandford and Paul Rowley – who would compete directly with Weepu for the nine shirt if the All Black does join – all confirmed switches to the Justin Burnell-coached club last month.
