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Richie McCaw's heartfelt message for record-breaking All Black Sam Whitelock
Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw has penned a heartfelt message of congratulations for record-breaking All Black Sam Whitelock after the win over Italy in Lyon.
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Whitelock, 34, equalled McCaw’s longstanding record as the most capped All Black in history during the 71-3 victory over Namibia in Toulouse earlier in the tournament.
But it was simply inevitable that Whitelock would surpass McCaw during the sports showpiece event. The All Blacks centurion was named on the bench to play Italy and went on to make history during the second half.
Whitelock replaced blindside flanker Shannon Frizell in the 48th minute, and at that moment created history by becoming the first All Black to play 149 Test matches.
Another incredible milestone is within reach for Whitelock, with the second-rower a good chance of playing his 150th Test in the black jersey against Uruguay on Thursday evening.
“A massive congrats @samuelwhitelock on becoming the most capped All Black,” McCaw wrote on Facebook.
“It takes huge amounts of drive and perseverance along with a relentless consistency to play as many games as you have.”
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About an hour after full-time, Whitelock spoke about his record-breaking appearance in the black jersey. The lock offered a humble grin as he reflected on the significance of the milestone.
Whitelock’s wife, kids and parents were in the crowd at OL Stadium as the All Blacks ran away with a commanding 96-17 win.
“Yeah really special on a personal level. Had some really cool moments this week, some guys who said some awesome things – some videos, some calls, some texts,” Whitelock said.
“I haven’t read all of them but I’ve read a few of them and they’ve been pretty awesome just being able to stop and slow down and actually enjoy some of those messages.
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“I saw Brad Thorn a couple of weeks ago and he sent a couple. He was there at the start for me and he really set me up to be successful. He used to tell Owen Franks and myself before we’d even played a Test match that we’d play 100.
“Really cool to connect with him and see his lovely family and just reminisce about some of the stuff that we used to get up to in the first couple of years.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Thought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
1 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
1 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
5 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
3 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
2 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
7 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
3 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
2 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
2 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
5 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
5 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
5 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
16 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
16 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
16 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
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