Piri Weepu should supplant Colin Slade as first five Dan Carter's rugby world cup backup, says former All Black selector and first five Earle Kirton.
Slade appeared to do his chances more harm than good in the All Blacks loss to South Africa at the weekend, with the World Cup squad being announced tomorrow afternoon in Brisbane.
Injury ruled Slade out of most of the Super 15 and Kirton says he simply hasn't had enough matchplay to get his confidence back while Weepu proved at the weekend he's a capable stand in and has done so previously.
Kirton says Slade will become a stand-out first five but he's missed too much Super 15 rugby through injury and there's simply not enough time for him to rebuild his confidence.
He says Weepu is a competent first five and probably a better goal kicker than Slade.
