All Blacks Great Sam Whitelock To Retire This Year
Sam Whitelock, the most capped player in the illustrious history of New Zealand rugby, will retire from the professional game at the end of the French club season in June, his country’s federation announced on Tuesday
Sam Whitelock, the most capped player in the illustrious history of New Zealand rugby, will retire from the professional game at the conclusion of the French club season in June, as announced by his country’s federation on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old has made 153 appearances for the All Blacks and achieved the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015.
He narrowly missed the opportunity to become the first player to win three Rugby World Cups when New Zealand suffered a one-point defeat to South Africa in the final held in Paris last year.
Whitelock made a significant contribution to the match after coming on in the 55th minute, extending his own record for World Cup appearances to 26.
Following the final, he embarked on a new chapter by joining Pau in France’s Top 14 on a two-year contract.
The announcement of his retirement effectively ends speculation surrounding a potential return to Test rugby this year, following reported interest from new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
“It’s time to conclude the playing chapter of my rugby career,” expressed Whitelock in a statement released by the All Blacks.
“I’ve been discussing the future with my wife Hannah and our children, contemplating what lies ahead for us.
“I believe if you speak to anyone who has been in the game for a significant period, that competitive desire never truly fades; it’s simply a natural progression in life.
“This decision hasn’t been made lightly, but it’s what feels right for me, my wife, and our three children – Fred, Iris, and Penelope.
“What excites me the most is the opportunity to spend more time with my family, to watch them play sports, and to be present for events like school cross-country races.”
Whitelock earned his first Test cap in 2010 against Ireland, marking the beginning of a remarkable international career. He became the youngest All Black to reach 100 Test appearances and holds the record for being the quickest player in the world to achieve this milestone.
His impressive record places him second only to Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones on the all-time list of most-capped internationals.
“An Immortal” –
Whitelock’s significant contribution to the All Blacks was exemplified in their thrilling 28-24 victory against Ireland in the quarter-finals of the last year’s World Cup. In the 84th minute, he executed a crucial turnover that secured the win in a match widely hailed as one of the finest displays of rugby ever witnessed.
All Blacks head coach Robertson remarked, “Sam is an immortal of our incredible game. Firstly, he is a person of exceptional quality. Sam’s impact has been profound, both mentally and physically, across four World Cup cycles. He epitomizes a winner who consistently rose to the occasion, his competitive spirit propelling him to the pinnacle of performance. Sam Whitelock will rightfully stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest figures in our sport.”
Whitelock also boasts an impressive record of 180 appearances for the Crusaders, where he clinched seven Super Rugby titles during his tenure with the club.
On the international stage, he secured 11 Tri Nations/Rugby Championship titles and participated in 14 consecutive seasons where the All Blacks successfully defended the Bledisloe Cup.
His background in basketball during high school played a crucial role in honing his exceptional catching abilities in the line-out and his adept passing skills.
Remarkably, Whitelock is one of four brothers to have donned the All Blacks jersey. Alongside his younger brother Luke, who is now his teammate at Pau, they played five Tests together. Another brother, George, earned one Test cap for the All Blacks in 2009, while the fourth brother, Adam, represented the All Blacks Sevens team.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson praised Sam Whitelock as “a sounding board for numerous players, coaches, administrators, and others,” highlighting his invaluable role within the rugby community.
Robinson hinted at the possibility of Whitelock eventually transitioning to a coaching role within the All Blacks setup, stating, “While he’s hanging up his boots, we know he’ll stay involved in rugby one way or another in the future.”
