Piri Weepu victim of All Blacks' changing style
All Blacks coach continues his policy of redefining the style the team play, with experienced scrumhalf latest to make way
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen continued his gradual overhaul of the world champion All Blacks yesterday by dropping experienced scrumhalf Piri Weepu and bringing uncapped TJ Perenara into his squad for the Rugby Championship.
Loose forward Victor Vito, another experienced All Black, was also omitted from the 28-man party but captain Richie McCaw was recalled after a sabbatical for the championship, which begins with New Zealand's visit to Australia on August 17.
Perenara has got a similar skill set, a younger version
Hansen did not close the door on Weepu, who earned his 71st cap against France in June, but said his inability to deal with the pace of the modern game was preventing him from exploiting his considerable skills.
"We just felt that the way we're trying to play the game, the speed we're trying to play the game, Piri was struggling with that," Hansen said. "His last game really confirmed what our thoughts were. We just think it's time to say, 'you go away and see if you can sort out that issue and meanwhile young TJ can have a crack.
"Perenara has got a similar skill set, a younger version, a fitter version. We just think it's time."
Weepu, 29, has been in and out of the All Blacks team since his international debut in 2004 and indicated he would not be giving up on his test career, saying in Twitter: "Down but not out. As always".
Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are the other halfbacks in the squad with the former likely to be preferred for the starting berth due to his 15-test experience and more accurate passing game.