Weber unwanted but undaunted

this part of the world. Christie and Fakatava are 27 and 22, respectively.

Yet Weber, who is contracted to NZ Rugby and the Chiefs through to 2023, did a lot right during Super Rugby Pacific and one could only imagine the value he could have provided the All Blacks behind the scenes as they tried to tame their fluctuating form.

Weber has proved in the past that he’s got character. After his test debut against Samoa in Apia in 2015, he was ignored until he made his comeback in 2019.

Can Weber make the squad for the World Cup in France next year? Under the current regime that seems unlikely. Barring a dramatic loss of form or injuries to Smith, Christie and Fakatava, Weber is up against it.

For now Weber now has to focus on helping Hawke’s Bay beat Tasman if they are to leap past Otago in the Odds conference, and secure an NPC quarterfinals berth.

Recent defeats to Bay of Plenty and Wellington (that also resulted in the Ranfurly Shield heading south) have stung the Magpies.

Tasman have been bolstered by the return of All Blacks wings Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku, both named on the bench.

This is a big deal for Tasman. The Mako, who are fourth in the Evens conference, could pay for their early misfires and miss the quarterfinals. A win would be enough to secure a berth, as fifthplaced Northland prepare to face Manawatu in Kaikohe on Sunday.

Otago’s assignment isn’t one to be envied; they face a red-hot Canterbury outfit, which has lost only one game, in Dunedin on Saturday.

Otago will be cheering for Tasman at Mclean Park. Their season depends on it.