Mark Pirie

poet - writer - editor - publisher

For Piri Weepu

Sonny Bill has his offload,
Nonu his speed and skills,
Smith his sharp running angles,
Kaino: his muscle, busting through.

But the man I look for
is Weepu. At scrum-time
when they engage and Piri
has the feed, a try he will make.

Kahui and Jane are fast cars,
McCaw rules the openside,
Thorn and Williams lock tight,
the Franks, Woodcock prop all night.

But the man I look for
is Weepu. When play's loose,
and Piri gathers the ball and looks
to kick, a try he will make.

Toeava has that yard of pace,
Carter's the maestro five-eighth,
Mealamu drives hard and low,
Read runs hard in the tackle.

But the man I look for
is Weepu. So, at the end,
with the game on the line, and Piri
has the feed, a try he will make.