Weepu recovers from mystery illness

Piri Weepu

All Black halfback Piri Weepu is out of hospital after suffering a mysterious fever and is expected at Hurricanes training today with a chance to play against the Crusaders in Wellington on Saturday.

Weepu was struck down with an as-yet-undiagnosed illness overnight on Monday and had to be taken to Wellington Hospital.

But Hurricanes team manager Garry Carnachan said yesterday that his condition had improved.

"Piri is out of hospital and at home. Basically they are unsure, despite a number of tests, what caused it - fever of unknown origin really."

Weepu was expected back at Hurricanes training today.

"He tells me he's feeling pretty good. We'll just make a decision on him from there," Carnachan said.

"We'll have to have a look at how he is. These things come on quick and go pretty quick but we won't be risking him unnecessarily."

Carnachan said Weepu had woken up on Tuesday to find himself ill but had gone to training to see the team doctor.

He had not collapsed at training, Carnachan said.

If Weepu is not fit to play, Brendan Haami shapes as the obvious replacement at halfback, with former All Black Danny Lee, a member of the Hurricanes wider training squad, coming on to the bench.

- NZPA