King in the land of rugby king. This Friday, in Toulouse against Italy, Samuel Laurence Whitelock should become the most capped All Blacks in history. The 34-year-old second row, if he comes into play, will honor his 149th international selection, erasing from the shelves the record of the legendary Richie McCaw (148). Only Welshman Alun Wyn Jones, also a second row, has done better with 171 caps (including 12 with the British and Irish Lions). “I don’t think the fact that he is a substitute dampens this performance,” said New Zealand coach Ian Foster. In each match, he establishes a new performance. Last week he equaled the record, this week he will beat it. He is the most capped All Black in the World Cup. Every day bears witness to the successes he achieves. »
His teammate, pillar Nepo Laulala (future Toulouse player), continues: “It’s an honor (to be present for his 149th cap). I spent almost my entire career with him. I don’t know how he managed to play at such a level for so long but it shows who he really is. He has done great things and he brings a form of serenity within the group, which is what we need in big competitions like this.” And to say that “some call him Gandalf”, but according to him: “He’s a bit like the Godfather!” A look back in figures at an incredible career.
At the opening of the World Cup, New Zealand lost against the XV of France. It was the first time that Sam Whitelock lost against the Blues, after an endless series of 11 wins in a row. After this first defeat in the World Cup group stage, he confided: “We have to stay positive. We’ve never been in this situation (losing a group match) and it’s something we’ll have to deal with, but we shouldn’t dwell on it too much. It’s a disappointing evening, that’s for sure. The most important thing is our discipline, we conceded a few too many penalties.”
After the World Cup, Sam Whitelock will join the Section Paloise with whom he has signed up for two seasons. In Béarn, he will find his brother Luke. Continuing the tradition of New Zealanders having played for Pau, including former All Blacks Conrad Smith, Colin Slade and Ben Smith. This will be Whitelock’s second experience abroad after freelancing in 2020 in Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights (only 5 matches). For the rest, he had spent most of his career with the legendary Crusaders province based in Christchurch (180 matches). With whom he won Super Rugby four times in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
The Whitelock family has given a lot to the All Blacks. There are in fact five members of this family to have worn the silver fern jersey. It started with his great-uncle Allan Elsom (6 caps between 1952 and 1955) then his grandfather Nelson Dalzell (5 caps between 1953 and 1954). His brother George then made a selection in 2009, before his debut in 2010 then the arrival of his other brother Luke, who wore the black jersey seven times from 2013.
Sam Whitelock played for a long time alongside Richie McCaw, legendary captain of New Zealand (110 times with the armband in 148 matches), then the armband was entrusted to third rows Kieran Read then Sam Cane. During this time, however, Sam Whitelock captained the All Blacks five times. At the 2015 World Cup, he was vice-captain of the All Blacks. In 2017, he was voted best New Zealand player of the year.
Second line of duty, the old-fashioned way, Sam Whitelock nevertheless scored seven tries with the All Blacks. Reputed to be more playful, his sidekick in the cage (see below), Brodie Retallick – who had revolutionized the canons of the position and was voted best player in the world in 2014 – only scored one more try (8) with New Zealand.
After making his international debut in August 2010, the second row honored his 100th cap in August 2018 against Australia. Becoming the fastest and youngest player to reach this legendary mark, after just eight years and two months. In the process, he became the eighth “centurion” in New Zealand history.
On the occasion of his (announced) entry into play against the Nazionale, Sam Whitelock will play his 22nd World Cup match. He will equal the record which was previously held jointly by English prop Jason Leonard, world champion in 2003, and his former teammate and captain Richie McCaw. During the rest of the competition, the New Zealand second row should logically take this record. It remains to be seen how far he will take it…
The New Zealand second row pair Sam Whitelock-Brodie Rettalick is a reference at world level. It’s quite simple, no team has been started so many times side by side. The two players have in fact been associated 66 times. They notably formed the pair which allowed the All Blacks to be crowned world champions twice in 2011 and 2015. Whitelock and Retallick did better than another legendary duo, that made up of the South Africans Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield who have accumulated 63 joint selections. And won the world title in 2007 in France.