KEY MAN: Piri Weepu stepped up with the boot and his organisation as the All Blacks beat Argentina.

All Black hero Piri Weepu kicked his team to victory against Argentina unaware that his grandfather had died.



Weepu flew home to Wainuiomata this morning for the funeral later today.



Weepu, who was named man of the match in the game against Argentina on Sunday night, had been unaware his grandfather had died on Friday morning, until his father Bill made the heartbreaking call after the game.



Johnny Lui, Weepu's paternal grandfather, died "peacefully" in Wellington hospital, a death notice said.



The 78-year-old had pneumonia, it is understood.

Last night Weepu tweeted from the official All Blacks account saying it was "tough times" for his family.

"Off home tomo.Tough times for my family at the mo.Tough news comin off the field to find that ya gradfather has passed! RIP John Loui (sic)" he wrote.

The All Blacks are banned from tweeting during the World Cup but some of the players have been sending messages from the official team account.

Bill Weepu said Piri's grandfather had watched his grandson's games whenever he could.



"He was very, very proud of him."

Weepu scored 23 points in the game against Argentina, kicking seven penalties.

The death is the second for the family in less than a year. Weepu's maternal grandfather died at Easter.