From stuff.co.nz
By JOHN MATHESON
Piri Weepu's desire to return to league is still burning bright.
Weepu, 22, confirmed to Sunday News he still planned to switch codes - despite being rated as one of the best halfbacks in world rugby.
"I'm just waiting for the time, and when I'm ready to go, I'll go," Weepu said.
And Sunday News can reveal leading league clubs - including the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights - will consider approaching him if he decides to switch codes after the World Cup.
"I've heard of him.
"We would like to investigate him if he did become available," Roosters boss Brian Canavan said last night.
"Having rugby league in his background certainly helps.
And we would have a full appraisal of the player, his skill level and gauge his depth."
Newcastle chief executive officer Ken Conway said the high-flying club would take a similar stance to the Roosters.
And the Newcastle Knights will be in the market for a halfback in 2008, with iconic No 7 Andrew Johns set to retire at the end of next season.
Conway said: "We would look at his form. The fact he has a league background would certainly assist him.
"We would have an open mind about who we talk to.
"We have seen quite a few league players come out of union over the years.
"Some have been spectacularly successful," he added.
Weepu, who has been dropped to make way for Byron Kelleher in the opening Tri-nations test on Saturday, first went public about a possible switch to league after becoming an All Black in 2004.
He has put no timeline on when he would jump ship to the 13-man code.
He said next year's rugby World Cup in France remained his top priority.
But Weepu added that nothing he had achieved in rugby had swayed his thoughts that he would quit the game at some point.
"I still watch a lot of league at the weekend and I still feel that passion and desire to be a part of it," he said.
"I guess we'll see how things go next year and hopefully, I'll be a part of the squad and do well."
When Weepu does announce he was off, it was likely spark a huge bidding war in the NRL for his services.
A quality halfback or standoff with Weepu's ball running and kicking skills would be highly sought-after.
By JOHN MATHESON
Piri Weepu's desire to return to league is still burning bright.
Weepu, 22, confirmed to Sunday News he still planned to switch codes - despite being rated as one of the best halfbacks in world rugby.
"I'm just waiting for the time, and when I'm ready to go, I'll go," Weepu said.
And Sunday News can reveal leading league clubs - including the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights - will consider approaching him if he decides to switch codes after the World Cup.
"I've heard of him.
"We would like to investigate him if he did become available," Roosters boss Brian Canavan said last night.
"Having rugby league in his background certainly helps.
And we would have a full appraisal of the player, his skill level and gauge his depth."
Newcastle chief executive officer Ken Conway said the high-flying club would take a similar stance to the Roosters.
And the Newcastle Knights will be in the market for a halfback in 2008, with iconic No 7 Andrew Johns set to retire at the end of next season.
Conway said: "We would look at his form. The fact he has a league background would certainly assist him.
"We would have an open mind about who we talk to.
"We have seen quite a few league players come out of union over the years.
"Some have been spectacularly successful," he added.
Weepu, who has been dropped to make way for Byron Kelleher in the opening Tri-nations test on Saturday, first went public about a possible switch to league after becoming an All Black in 2004.
He has put no timeline on when he would jump ship to the 13-man code.
He said next year's rugby World Cup in France remained his top priority.
But Weepu added that nothing he had achieved in rugby had swayed his thoughts that he would quit the game at some point.
"I still watch a lot of league at the weekend and I still feel that passion and desire to be a part of it," he said.
"I guess we'll see how things go next year and hopefully, I'll be a part of the squad and do well."
When Weepu does announce he was off, it was likely spark a huge bidding war in the NRL for his services.
A quality halfback or standoff with Weepu's ball running and kicking skills would be highly sought-after.
