Piri Weepu. Photo / Sandra Mu
Piri Weepu says league legend Andrew Johns can help him secure the top All Blacks halfback's spot at the World Cup and insists he's not in Newcastle this week to "scrounge a deal" in the 13-man game.
Weepu is spending the week training with the Newcastle Knights in
a deal arranged by All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who approached new Knights coach Brian Smith.
He will work specifically with Johns, recognised as one of the world's premier footballers in either oval-ball code.
"I am here to learn off Joey and train as hard as I can," Weepu told the Newcastle Herald this week.
"Joey (Johns) is the best halfback in the world. I have been watching him for some time.
"The way he reads the defensive line, the way he carries the ball in two hands, the way he puts people in holes, the way he kicks the football... I want to learn as much as I can from him."
Weepu played league as a youngster in the sport's heartland in Wanuiomata and his brother Billy, a prop, spent time with glamour club Manly.
Weepu and All Blacks teammate Ma'a Nonu have both expressed interest in returning to league later in their careers, although Weepu is signed by the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2008.
"I have always loved rugby league. I am from a rugby league family and did not play rugby union until I went to a college," he said.
"But I have come over here with a focus on the World Cup and trying to get the All Blacks No 9 jumper back (from Byron Kelleher). That is the sole focus this week. I'm not here to try to scrounge a deal."
Johns is a fan of Weepu and said he would be a big hit in league. Coincidentally, Johns' Knights contract expires at the same time as Weepu's at the end of next year.
"If he decides to change, I'm sure there would be one club over this way interested in him," Johns said.
This week's deal will be reciprocated when Brian Smith visits the All Blacks' set-up later in the year.
- NZPA
