Piri Weepu spent part of the summer training with Australian league side the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Getty Images
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SYDNEY - The National Rugby League (NRL) salary cap would make it difficult for discarded All Black Piri Weepu to switch codes, New Zealand Warriors director of football John Hart says.
The 18-test halfback Weepu's omission from the All Blacks' World Cup squad in favour of Andrew Ellis
was a major talking point on Sunday.
It led to speculation on Weepu's future, with the Wellingtonian from the league heartland of Wainuiomata having previously expressed a desire to switch codes -- as has another unwanted All Black Ma'a Nonu.
Weepu, whose brother Billy played for Manly, spent several days training with the Newcastle Knights this year with the blessing of All Blacks management.
Hart, the 1999 All Blacks World Cup coach, said the Warriors had no plans to chase Weepu and felt it would be difficult for other NRL clubs to approach him.
"I think the salary cap will always be an issue (for rugby players)," Hart told NZPA.
"With our situation in the salary cap there's no way we can look at anyone else. We've got our roster for next year so we're pretty secure."
Asked if Weepu, 23, would be a sought-after commodity in league, Hart was non-committal.
"We haven't even discussed it. My understanding is he's on contract (with rugby) and we certainly won't be discussing it at the moment either.
"I haven't seen him play league and I don't know what his background is in it."
A code switch to the NRL would probably mean Weepu takes a hefty pay cut to fit under a club's salary cap which is A$4 million ($4.48 million) per season.
England's big-spending Super League clubs, who have attracted a string of NRL players this year including Kangaroos test player Matt King, may appeal more.
The World Cup squad naming had an impact on the victorious Warriors' dressing room at Campbelltown, with bench forward Epalahame Lauaki still buzzing at his brother Sione's inclusion. He revealed the news in a phone call on Saturday afternoon.
"It was a surprise and he was a bit emotional. He hadn't played a lot of football since the Super 14. Our parents' prayers got him there, I think," Lauaki said.
Hart meanwhile was confident the All Blacks were on track for the World Cup after watching their 26-12 win over the Wallabies.
"I thought it was a really good second half performance. That's the way they've got to play," Hart said.
"They were very good. (Keven) Mealamu and (Brendon) Leonard added a lot. The lineout became sharp, and around the base of the scrum became sharp.
"The first half was a bit disappointing but they came out of the game with the momentum they needed. I think it was really good for them."
- NZPA
