Former All Black Piri Weepu warming up for Wairarapa-Bush at Cooks Gardens on Saturday.
Former All Black Piri Weepu warming up for Wairarapa-Bush at Cooks Gardens on Saturday.
Former All Black Piri Weepu's immediate playing future with Wairarapa-Bush remains up in the air after his collapse in Saturday's 79-7 loss to Steelform Wanganui at Cooks Gardens.
The 71-test halfback went down after contact shortly following halftime and lay face down for several minutes, being attended by medical staffwho helped him off the ground and hooked him up to an EKG monitor on the sideline.
Initial reports suggested the 33-year-old had suffered an asthma attack, however sports writer Gary Caffell of Wairarapa Times Age said this was not the case.
Caffell spoke with Weepu, who told him his breathing got "shallow and quick" and then all his energy went away.
Weepu, who suffered a minor stroke in 2014, was to see his doctor in Wellington for a full medical check up on Monday, and told Caffell he was hopeful of playing this Saturday against East Coast in Masterton.
He debuted for the Heartland province in a preseason night fixture against Manawatu Evergreens on August 19, while Saturday's afternoon game was played in sunny and warm temperatures.
Wanganui players spoken to afterwards commented they heard Weepu saying during the first half that he was struggling with the pace of the game.
Wairarapa Bush union CEO Tony Hargood said on Sunday their marquee signing was still in "good spirits" after the match and they did not expect the doctor's appointment to reveal "anything adverse".
"It will be just a stock, standard medical. He was in good heart and might even, potentially, if he gets the all clear, play next week."
Weepu played only 32 games across four English and French clubs after leaving New Zealand in 2014, while last December he received $171,000 in damages from the courts over his sacking by French club Oyonnax after only six months of a two-year deal.
