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Former All Black captain Tana Umaga hopes dumped teammate Piri Weepu may still make an appearance at this year's World Cup in France.
The 74-test veteran, who leaves for France in three weeks to take up a rugby director's position in Toulon, was disappointed for "his little mate", who was axed from the All Blacks World Cup squad last week.
"I'll be hanging with him as much as I can but, who knows, he might get a call with injuries and stuff.
"He's taken it tough but he's answered in the best way by doing his talking on the field."
Umaga said it would be a loss for rugby if Weepu eventually switched to league.
"I think he's signed for another year and I'd like him to stay because he's obviously talented enough, so who says he won't get there again?"
Meanwhile, Umaga ruled out a fairytale comeback of his own to fill the All Blacks' troublesome centre position at the World Cup.
"No, no, I'm past that now. I think they're all right now ... Conrad [Smith] is back now so I think they're all right."
He said All Black fans should take heart before the World Cup from the team's 26-12 win against Australia at Eden Park, which showed they could grind out wins in tight matches.
"In the end you can always score 50 tries and everyone will be happy but when you come to a close game it's an arm wrestle and if you can win those arm wrestles and soak up the pressure those are the ones that will hold you in good stead for the future.
"Look at the English in 2003. They never set houses on fire with the game they played ... All they did was ground it out. It's a long tournament and by the end of it you haven't got the same zip that you did at the start."
Umaga will be the chief ambassador for a Tourism New Zealand campaign encouraging an expected 70,000 international rugby fans to make the most of their stay during the 2011 Rugby World Cup and visit places other than match venues.
