1
Why Sam Whitelock is as hungry as ever to play for the All Blacks
Sam Whitelock may have played 143 matches for the All Blacks, but the veterans hunger is “exactly the same as it always is” ahead of a possible return to Test rugby.
ADVERTISEMENT
After overcoming a persistent Achilles injury – or so the rugby world thought – Whitelock lined up for his 178th and final Crusaders appearance in last month’s Super Rugby Pacific Final.
The French-bound lock, who has signed for Pau for after this year’s Rugby World Cup, helped the Crusaders win their seventh title in as many years and was named the Player of the Final.
The champion Crusader had received the fairytale finish that he so rightly deserved in Super Rugby.
But Whitelock wasn’t quite at 100 per cent. That niggly Achilles injury returned, and the lock missed some training sessions once the All Blacks assembled in Auckland.
Whitelock travelled with the All Blacks to Argentina, but wasn’t named in the matchday 23. Then, a week later, the second rower was left out of the side to play South Africa.
But Whitelock appears to be nearing a return to the Test arena with the 34-year-old telling reporters that he is “in a really good spot” ahead of Bledisloe I.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I was cleared to play last game but just not selected,” Whitelock told reporters on Monday.
“I got through the full training week, which was good, and obviously I was in Argie as well, so I’ve been in and around the team for the last couple of weeks.
“Hopefully, team selection goes my way and I get the chance to get out there.”
Whitelock has formed a formidable partnership with Brodie Retallick over more than a decade, and the pair are expected to play a key role in the All Blacks’ World Cup charge later this year.
But both places face some tough competition.
Rising stars Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord have impressed during the opening two Tests of the year, and Crusaders captain Scott Barrett is another proven option in the second row.
ADVERTISEMENT
Whitelock said that “there is some heat” within the squad at second-row, but the veteran is just focused on what he can control – affirming that the “hunger is always there” to play Test rugby.
“The team has played really well the last two games,” he added.
“The hunger is always there and if your hunger changed, whether you’re starting, on the bench or not play, I’d be a little bit concerned about what your motivations are being here.
“My hunger is exactly the same as it always is – I want to be out there and playing good rugby for myself, but also helping the team in any way, whatever role that is.”
The All Blacks take on fierce rivals Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening.
New Zealand can lock up the Bledisloe Cup for another year with a win, and also secure The Rugby Championship title.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
2 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
2 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
2 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
2 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to comments