"I'm pretty motivated to make sure I play a bigger role than last year,'' he said.
"I've done a lot of work outside the camp to get myself in better nick than I was last year. I've been trying to maintain that and make sure that when I come into camp I'm not behind the boys.
"I want to help out these younger boys a lot more, not just by saying it but by doing it as well. I guess it's going to be a key role that I'm going to have to take on because the average age in the backline isn't 27, it's 21 or 22 so I need to pass on my knowledge to anyone in the backline in terms of guidance and making them understand what it's like to be a professional rugby player.''
Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said Weepu had been "outstanding'' since joining the team.
"He's shown great leadership, great guidance of the young guys and great input into what we're doing as a team.
"I didn't know Piri [before coaching the Blues], I'd heard a lot of great things about him in the environment but he's actually been brilliant.''
Weepu returns to a near full-strength side to take on the Highlanders in the Blues' final pre-season match of the year, with Charlie Faumuina making his first start at tighthead prop and Charles Piutau returning from injury to line up at fullback.
The Blues team to face the Highlanders at the Queenstown Events Centre on Friday, kick-off 5.30pm, is: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, George Moala, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Ali Williams (C), Culum Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tom McCartney. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Liaki Moli, Ronald Raaymakers, Sean Polwart, Kane Barrett, Joe Edwards, Bryn Hall, Jackson Willison, Baden Kerr, Marty McKenzie, Pita Ahki.
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