'It's not some of the rugby players' Kiwi sprinter challenges All Blacks speedsters

There’s often been discussion among rugby fans in New Zealand about who the fastest rugby player in the country is.

The New Zealand franchises are full of speedsters on the rugby field, but none have ever really been tested on a track against professional sprinters.

Names like Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, and Caleb Clarke are often thrown around, but New Zealand’s fastest sprinter, Tiaan Whelpton, is convinced he would beat them all in a race.

Whelpton recently broke a 30-year New Zealand 60m indoor record, finishing second with 6.5 seconds in Canberra last month.

The 24-year told RNZ after his race that his 6.50 60m time translates to 9.9 or 10 seconds exactly (for 100m), showing that he’s up there with the worlds best.

The Kiwi sprinter achieved a personal best on Sunday at the Sir Graeme Douglas International meet in Auckland, running his 100m race in 10.10 seconds.

The sprinter’s claims came from an interview with Paddy Gower on “This is the F#$%ing News”, where Gower asked Whelpton whether he thinks he’s the fastest person in New Zealand.

“So that would be me. It’s not some of the rugby players. I think because some of the social media commentators will have you believe, you mentioned the All Blacks,” Whelpton told Gower.

@nzstuffNew Zealand’s record-breaking sprint sensation Tiaan Whelpton has challenged the All Blacks to put their best sprinters up for a 100m race.? ? Whelpton calls himself “the fastest man in New Zealand” and said a race against All Blacks speedsters like Will Jordan and Reiko Ioane would help Kiwis understand just how quick he is.? ? “If I had to estimate, I’d say some of these [All Blacks] guys could probably go mid-11 seconds for 100m,” Whelpton said. “So I’d love to do a race against these guys.”? ? Whelpton just broke the New Zealand record for 60 metres by doing it in 6.50 seconds. He has run the 100 metres in 10.14 seconds – and wants to be the first New Zealander to do it in under 10 seconds.? ? He said while there was a public perception that some All Blacks were really fast, “they are put on somewhat of a pedestal” in New Zealand and “I don’t think people are really gonna want to see them get whipped”.? ? 📺️ Watch the full episode of The F#$%ing News at stuff.co.nz? original sound – NZstuff

Gower then asked the Kiwi sprinter how he would go against some of the quickest Rugby players in a 100m race.

“Don’t get me wrong, these rugby guys, are quick. But I think it definitely helps that the other people they’re running against on the pitch are not very quick.

“I think if I had to estimate, I’d say some of these guys could probably go mid 11 seconds in 100 meters.

“So I’d love to do a race against these guys.  We can figure out some sort of a handicap and a head start and donate some money to charity. I’d be all over that.”