Weepu joins Blues for one year

Wellington - All Blacks scrumhalf Piri Weepu has signed a one-year contract with the Blues in the Super Rugby competition, continuing an exodus of top players from the Hurricanes.

Weepu follows New Zealand teammate Ma'a Nonu to the Blues and joins fellow internationals Andrew Hore, Aaron Cruden and Nonnu in quitting the Hurricanes since the end of the recent Super 15 season.

All Blacks wingers Cory Jane and Hosea Gear are also considering offers to leave the Hurricanes.

Senior players became concerned when first-season coach Mark Hammett decided midway through last season that Hore and Nonu would not be offered new contracts.

Weepu says the treatement of Hore and Nonu had played "a minor part" in his decision to leave.