Rugby: Weber winning battle of No 9s

Brad Weber's good form has given him the inside running for the Chiefs' starting halfback spot, but he's not taking it for granted. Photo / Getty Images

A position considered an open competition at the start of the season appears to have a winner.

Brad Weber will tonight wear the Chiefs No 9 jersey for the sixth time in seven games, having seemingly emerged triumphant in a head-to-head battle with Augustine Pulu.

When Tawera Kerr-Barlow wrecked his knee on All Blacks duty last year, it left two other talented halfbacks scrambling for his Super Rugby starting spot.

Pulu was initially the favourite because he was Kerr-Barlow's back-up at the Chiefs last year before replacing him in black, but Weber's form has proven irresistible.

The Waikato man started the first two games of the season and has since made seven run-on appearances compared to Pulu's three.

But, despite that disparity, Weber knew he would be looking over his shoulder for the remainder of the campaign.

"I certainly don't feel like I've got it nailed down," he said. "Augy's breathing down my neck every training, every game. He's had two tests for the All Blacks, so he's a quality man and a quality player."

Having such a quality player pushing him every day can only be a positive for Weber.

The 24-year-old has made steady progress in the three seasons he's spent in Super Rugby, and the presence of Pulu and Kerr-Barlow has been more help than hindrance in his development.

"It was exactly the same having Tawera in last year and I've learnt a lot off those guys in the past year and a half, so it's huge having him push me every week."

That pecking order is set to remain for the foreseeable future, as Dave Rennie always rewards form with selection.

It was a wide range of qualities, the coach said, that enabled Weber to lock down the position, sparking an attack that had scored the second-most points in the competition.

"Brad's been great - he's really stepped up," Rennie said. "He's electric, his passing game has gone to another level, he gets to the breakdown really quickly - which is important for us - and he's defending really well.

"He's excited to be playing and he's had to play with a few different 10s, which is a good challenge for him. We think his passing is crucial, hence the reason he's been getting the start."

Weber had been forced to deal with a different halves combination in each of the last three games but he has done so with aplomb.

First Aaron Cruden, then Marty McKenzie and tonight Andrew Horrell, the diminutive scrum half has faced few issues adapting to the revolving door currently outside of him.

"I suppose consistency in connection helps but, at the same time, the guys who we have at 10 train there quite a lot, so I've already established a relationship with all the 10s we've got," Weber said.

"Me and Hozza are really good mates, so there's no problem in making that connection there."

The coaches also deserve credit for ensuring that connection is smooth, having helped Weber and Pulu emerge to be among the top five halfbacks in the country.

Weber's growing stature in the game has also led to suggestions of another elevation.

"Obviously the ultimate goal is to be an All Black," he said.

"But my focus is in the here and now and playing well for the Chiefs. I believe that sort of stuff takes care of itself."