Rugby: Shield 'enemy' comes home

Brad Weber (right) after captaining Waikato to their win against the Magpies in last week's Ranfurly Shield challenge. Photo / File

Brad Weber's grandfather Graham predicted it may happen - and it will next year.

The All Black halfback and Waikato captain is returning to Hawke's Bay in 2016 with the aim of playing ITM Cup rugby for the Magpies.

His grandfather predicted four years ago, when Weber was playing for Otago, he would become a third-generation Magpies halfback.

It is a pity his grandfather, who played more than 20 games for the Bay from 1956-58, will not witness the occasion. The former Magpies assistant coach died in 2013.

Weber's father Neil, who managed the Magpies from 2009-13, played 49 first class games for the Bay from 1988-93. His son signed a two-year deal with the Hawke's Bay union at the end of last year but his transfer from Waikato was not announced until yesterday.

"We're very pleased to have home-grown talent like Brad coming home. He had a taste of the Magpies environment but never got on the paddock for a first class outing when he was last in the Bay," union chief executive Mike Bishop said, referring to 2011 when Weber was ranked behind Chris Eaton, Kahn Fotuali'i and Isaac Paewai in the halfbacks pecking order.

Weber, 24, will again play for his family's Napier Old Boys Marist club. But because of his Super Rugby commitments with the Chiefs, he is unlikely to be seen at club level. The 2011 world champion with the Baby Blacks appreciated the irony of his return to a union, having just taken the Ranfurly Shield off them last Friday night, scoring a second-half hattrick of tries in the visitors' 36-30 win.

"It is ironic that my final game for Waikato was taking the shield off Hawke's Bay but I can leave knowing I played a part in leaving the Waikato union in a pretty good space," Weber said.

"This decision wasn't made lightly and I am going to find it very tough to leave Waikato.

"I would like to thank the Waikato team, the staff and all the amazing Waikato fans for their support during my two-and-half seasons in the red, yellow and black.

"Growing up in Napier, playing for Hawke's Bay has always been a dream of mine and I am excited to be able to get the chance to be the third generation of my family to do so," Weber added.

A Napier Boys' High School product, Weber, formed a formidable 8, 9, 10 combo with current Magpies Gareth Evans and Ihaia West during his 1st XV days. Weber made his NPC debut for Otago in 2012, before moving to Waikato in 2013, going on to captain the Mooloos last year, and has since shared the duties with Whetu Douglas.

He played two seasons for the Chiefs and, like fellow Hawke's Bay-bound All Black Brodie Retallick, signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton-based franchise this year.

Weber played for the Maori All Blacks this year and made his All Blacks debut as a substitute in the July test against Samoa in Apia.