All Blacks spring surprise with Weepu selection

Weepu, who had achieved folk hero status at last year’s World Cup with his goalkicking and all-round play, had been under orders to meet weight targets at recent training camps after showing up for Super Rugby unfit and overweight. Ellis had performed well behind the Canterbury Crusaders pack this season, while Weepu’s Auckland Blues have struggled all season. “I have been the topic of talk for the last five months, every possible angle that people could take,” Weepu told Radio Sport. “I’m not worried about what they say, I’m just excited to be here after all the crap.”

The uncapped Aaron Smith, one of seven new players in the squad and widely regarded as having the best pass in the country, will join Weepu in the squad as Smith tries to balance the expectations imposed on the World Cup winners with the task of introducing new blood ahead of the 2015 tournament in England.

Squad: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Wyatt Crockett (Cusaders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), Ben Franks (Crusaders), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Hosea Gear (Highlanders), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Andrew Hore (Highlanders), Richie McCaw (c) (Crusaders), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Ma’a Nonu (Blues), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Ben Smith (Highlanders), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), Adam Thomson (Highlanders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Piri Weepu (Blues), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Ali Williams (Blues), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Tony Woodcock (Blues). Injury cover – Hika Elliott (Chiefs).