All Blacks: Weepu enjoys a great night

Piri Weepu. Photo / Getty Images

On his home ground, with the pressure to deliver almost too much to take, Piri Weepu gave one of his best performances in an All Black shirt last night.

For a bloke who was thinking about heading offshore not so long ago and unable to get a start for his franchise, he's come a long way in the past six weeks.

Last night was his. Reputedly an average trainer who struggles with his girth, he played with a snap few thought he had. His fitness held and his composure on the ball and patience were a shining example of why experience at this level counts.

The old Weepu might have panicked had he found himself in the same space as the new one in the build-up to Mils Muliaina's try. He looked left, looked right, slowed and chose his option perfectly with a long pass that meant the fullback didn't have to break stride.

At this level, chances are rare, they have to be taken and Weepu made his contribution count. He made it count all round, driving strongly round the fringes, using his low centre of gravity to shrug off defenders and keep the ball and momentum available.

He also landed a long-range penalty in a swirling wind that Dan Carter was struggling to read. It was a critical success, giving the All Blacks some comfort they were again more than two scores in front.

"I thought he was outstanding," said backs coach Wayne Smith of Weepu. "He was obviously quite comfortable playing on his home track and he made two or three very good busts in the first half. He also landed a key penalty for us."

For Weepu, the evening didn't end there. He didn't come out to talk to the media after the game as his partner was thought to have gone into labour.

A big day indeed.