Record in sight for Sam Whitelock. The second row starts in the lineup unveiled by New Zealand this Wednesday, ahead of its second match at the 2023 World Cup against Namibia on Friday (9 p.m.). He will honor his 148th cap with the All-Blacks, equaling Richie McCaw’s record.
Aged 34, Whitelock started in the opening match of the World Cup against France, won by the Blues in Saint-Denis last Friday (27-13). He won two World Cups, in 2011 and 2015, with the All-Blacks. The second row will start against Namibia alongside another experienced man, Brodie Retallick (101 caps), who has just returned from a knee injury.
New Zealand made short work of Namibia at the 2019 World Cup, winning 71-9 in the group stage. The reunion promises to be unbalanced again this Friday at the Toulouse Stadium. The All-Blacks against Italy on September 29 and Uruguay on October 5.
