Piri Weepu's brilliant All Black debut

For the better part of a decade, Piri Weepu was a familiar sight behind the All Black pack. The stocky general was as significant a personality off the field as he was on it.

Always surrounded by boatloads of talent, Weepu was, through his superb rugby brain, routinely able to see that talent take fruition.

His first chance on the international scene came in 2004 when the All Blacks, for the first time under the leadership of Richie McCaw, took on Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Weepu was subbed in the 75^th minute, however, although it was his first cap for the men in black, he looked every bit the seasoned campaigner which he became; marshalling beautifully on defence and keeping the attack flowing and deadly.