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Sam Whitelock approached about possible return to All Blacks – report
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Sam Whitelock could make a stunning return to international rugby with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reportedly approaching the 153-Test veteran about a return to New Zealand’s shores.
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Whitelock, who is currently playing with French club Pau in the Top 14, was thought to have retired from the international game after last year’s Rugby World Cup which saw New Zealand finish second behind South Africa.
During that campaign in France, Whitelock became the first All Black to reach and then pass the 150-Test marker, and also became a national hero once again with a famous turnover at the death during the thrilling quarter-final win over Ireland
While the 35-year-old had seemingly sailed into the sunset after joining younger brother Luke at Pau, it’s understood the legendary All Black could complete a stunning comeback to the top level.
According to New Zealand Herald scribe Gregor Paul, Whitelock is “considering returning to New Zealand” after a discussion with new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson won seven Super Rugby titles with Whitelock during a historic run with the Crusaders, and the coach appears intent on working with the set-piece guru once again.
Paul understands that Whitelock could be in line for “at least one more” year of international rugby, and potentially another, with the second-rower a chance to play valuable minutes.
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With multiple genuine greats of All Blacks rugby leaving New Zealand after last year’s World Cup, including lock Brodie Retallick, there’s no question that Whitelock’s return would be significantly positive for a young crop of players coming through.
Chiefs duo Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i have played less than 30 Tests between them, and the Crusaders’ Quinten Strange is yet to enter the fray of international rugby with the All Blacks.
Scott Barrett, who has played just short of 70 Tests in the black jersey, is expected to suit up for New Zealand later this year, but Whitelock’s involvement in the squad would still come as a major boost.
But for now, Whitelock is still committed to Pau who currently sit mid-table with 10 wins and eight losses so far this season.
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“I’m looking forward to discovering rugby in France and facing this challenge,” Whitelock said in a Pau statement after signing for the club last year.
“It’s great to be able to play with my brother in the same team and not against each other. My family and I are looking forward to discovering French culture and learning the language.”
It’s understood that Whitelock will have an option at the end of the Top 14 season to either re-sign with Pau or potentially return to New Zealand if a Super Rugby side decides to sign him.
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
3 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
3 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
3 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
3 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
3 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
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