Former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens backs Piri Weepu, and not Colin Slade, to act as back-up to New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter in the New Zealand Herald.
"There has been lot of speculation as to who will cover Dan Carter as we come (hopefully) to the business end of the World Cup.
"I felt Colin Slade deserved to be the heir apparent in the selection for this tournament and to me, he appears, admittedly at this early stage of his career, to be the long-term successor in the position, although he will no doubt have enormous competition from the talented Aaron Cruden as both players mature.
"But for right now, Piri Weepu is being touted by many to play a role much greater than that of a fringe player in this set-up - and he gets my vote as back-up to Carter for the sharp end of this tournament."
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