Weepu started the 2004 Hurricanes season as the back-up halfback to Jason Spice but by the end of the year he was starting for the All Blacks against Wales at a sell-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

His rapid rise was primarily due to a stand-out NPC season for Wellington.

Weepu possesses a swift pass and combines this with robust play around the rucks and mauls when called for.

Weepu is also a reliable goal-kicker and assumed that role in last year's NPC for Wellington.

He earned his first selection to a national age-group team in 2004 playing for the world champion New Zealand Under 21 side.