Piri Weepu's World Cup campaign may take on a redemptive tone for very different reasons than that of his teammates.
Weepu was a controversial omission from the 2007 World Cup squad, despite being a key part of the selectors' plans earlier in the season. The Wellington halfback was in a group put on a rest-and-reconditioning plan through the 2007 Super rugby season, and played in all but one of the Tri-Nations tests.
But the selectors had a change of heart, citing form and attitude as the reasons behind Weepu's non-selection.
He dealt with his axing the way any well-adjusted adult would - by breaking team protocol and going out to drown his sorrows just days before the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations test against Australia. To his credit, Weepu has come back and answered his critics, reclaiming the black jersey in 2008, and has remained in the fray since.
He had a strong 2010 Tri-Nations, but his year ended badly, with a broken leg while playing for Wellington.
