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Key Information

Samuel Lawrence Whitelock ONZM (born 12 October 1988)[1] is a New Zealand former rugby union player.

Whitelock played 153 tests for New Zealand between 2010 and 2023, and is the youngest New Zealander to reach 100 tests.[2] He is the fastest player ever to reach 100 international appearances, achieving the feat eight years and two months after his test debut.[3]

Whitelock was the winner of New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year in 2017. He formed a renowned locking combination with Brodie Retallick; Whitelock and Retallick played 50 tests together.[4][5] He was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning teams, becoming one of only 43 players who have won the men's Rugby World Cup more than once.

Whitelock played for Canterbury, the Crusaders, Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, and retired from rugby after playing for French club Pau in 2024.

Playing career

[edit]

Early career

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Whitelock was part of the world championship winning team, the Baby All Blacks, at the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship playing at half back[6] He played 5 games, scoring a try against Argentina. Whitelock made his Air New Zealand Cup debut for Canterbury in 2008 against Wellington. His Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders was against the Highlanders in the 2010 Super 14 season.[7]

In 2010 he was selected into the All Blacks team for the 2010 mid-year rugby test series. He made his debut replacing Brad Thorn off the bench, against Ireland, and scored 2 tries.[8] Whitelock played ten tests in 2010 and has never missed a team naming for the team since his debut, earning two starts on the end of year tour. The first of which was a 26–16 win over England where he was replaced by Anthony Boric in the 66th minute and the second of which was a start against Scotland in a 49–3 win where he played for the full 80 minutes. Whitelock scored his third test try the following week in a 38-18 win over Ireland.[9]

2011–2015

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After five appearances prior to the World Cup in 2011, he was selected into New Zealand's 30-man World Cup Squad and after starting in the second pool game against Japan which was an 83–7 win for New Zealand, he went on to hold this position for the rest of the World Cup, including the All Blacks' 8–7 win over France at Eden Park on 23 October, which saw them win the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Whitelock cemented his place as a regular starter for the All Blacks in 2012 and started in 13 of their 14 tests, only coming on as a replacement against Italy in Rome during a 42–10 win that year. Whitelock scored the fourth try of his test career in the 32-16 win over South Africa in the Rugby Championship, scoring the opening try for the All Blacks 25 minutes into the test.

After re-committing to New Zealand Rugby for another four years in 2013,[10] Whitelock and Brodie Retallick became a World-Class locking combination and started together eight times in 2013, with Whitelock playing in 12 of the All Blacks' 14 tests in 2013. Whitelock was only subbed off twice the All Blacks' unbeaten year, in tests against France, Australia and Argentina. He also played his 50th test in the 30–22 win over England on the 2013 end-of-year tour, but this was unfortunately overshadowed by the fact that 2005 and 2012 World Rugby Player of the Year-winning Crusaders teammate Dan Carter had been subbed off in the 25th minute of that match which was Carter's 100th.

Whitelock started in all three tests in the 2014 England rugby union tour of New Zealand with the All Blacks winning all three matches against England. Whitelock had another solid year in the black jersey, playing in a further eight tests that year. Whitelock carried this form into the 2015 Super Rugby season after the off-season, making rugby headlines after scoring a 60m solo try in a Super Rugby fixture against the Reds. Whitelock was selected for his second Rugby World Cup that year.[11] Whitelock played in every single All Blacks test in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including the full 80 minutes of the three knockout rounds. The 34–17 win over Australia in the World Cup Final meant Whitelock would become one of 21 players to win a Rugby World Cup title multiple times.

2016–2017

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Whitelock made his 100th appearance for the Crusaders in 2016, scoring the opening try of their 85-26 thrashing of the Melbourne Rebels.[12] After missing the first test against Wales due to injury in 2016, Whitelock returned to action in the second test of the Wales series, putting in another 80-minute performance. He became the most-capped All Blacks lock in 2016 making 11 appearances that year including one off the bench in a 36–17 win over Argentina on 1 October, surpassing the now-retired Ian Jones' 79 tests as an All Blacks lock. Whitelock missed Ireland's 40-29 victory over New Zealand in that year's end-of-season tour due to injury, allowing Crusaders teammate Scott Barrett to make his debut, returning from his calf strain to face Ireland in a 21–9 win.

Whitelock was one of the best performing players in the final test of 2016, which was a 24-19 scare from France, with the All Blacks going on to win 13 of their 14 tests that year.[13] Whitelock was nominated for the best New Zealand Player of the Year at the 2016 NZ Rugby Awards alongside teammates Dane Coles and Beauden Barrett being the other nominees. Whitelock and Coles lost the award to Barrett.

Whitelock has become an established member of the Crusaders and New Zealand leadership groups in recent years, with new Crusaders coach Scott Robertson naming Whitelock as the captain of the franchise for 2017. Whitelock had an outstanding Super Rugby campaign in 2017 with the exception of a two-week suspension for striking Cheetahs prop Charles Marais. Whitelock was also yellow-carded for doing so that match.[14] Whitelock captained the Crusaders in the historic fixture against the touring British & Irish Lions side in 2017, producing an 80-minute performance in the Crusaders' disappointing 3–12 loss to the Lions.

Whitelock was selected for the All Blacks' 33-man squad for the 2017 Pasifika Challenge against Samoa and three-test series against the British & Irish Lions. Whitelock started in all four of those matches but had his performance in the Lions series overshadowed by Brodie Retallick and the Lions' youngest player, English lock Maro Itoje who had started for the Lions twice in the test series. Whitelock returned from the Lions series to captain the Crusaders to their first Super Rugby title win since 2008. The Whitelock-lead Crusaders beat 2016 finalists the Lions 25–17 to claim their eighth Super Rugby title after losing only one match in the 2017 Super Rugby season.[15]

Whitelock re-committed to New Zealand Rugby for another three years in 2017 and he made 12 appearances for the All Blacks in 2017 and for the final test of 2017- a 33–18 win over Wales, was named as captain of the All Blacks for the first time of his career, becoming the 69th test captain of the All Blacks. This came after Crusaders teammate and regular All Blacks captain Kieran Read was ruled out of the test due to the need for back surgery. Whitelock's younger brother Luke Whitelock who had captained a second-string All Blacks side to a 28–23 win over a French XV earlier on the end-of-year tour replaced Read as the starting number 8 for the test. Whitelock performed well in his first test as captain but he was unfortunately awarded the fourth yellow card of his test career in the 67th minute of the Welsh test for a professional foul.

After returning home to New Zealand, Whitelock won two awards at the 2017 NZ Rugby Awards, one for Super Rugby Player of the Year, and was chosen over All Blacks teammate Rieko Ioane and Black Ferns player Sarah Goss for the best New Zealand Player of the Year. This was a rare double, with 2016 and 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year- Beauden Barrett, not considered for the awards Whitelock won.[16]

2018–2019

[edit]

Whitelock was captain for the Crusaders in the 2018 Super Rugby season. After media speculation, on 20 May 2018, Whitelock was named by New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen as the Captain of the All Blacks, with flanker Sam Cane and returning-from-injury fullback Ben Smith named as Vice-Captains for the All Blacks' three-test series against France during the June internationals.[17]

Having been in doubt due to his second concussion of the 2018 season, Whitelock returned from injury to lead New Zealand to a 52-11 victory over France in the first test of the series, where he was not subbed off. Whitelock performed very well in the next two tests as well, allowing the 2018 French series to be a 3-0 win to New Zealand. Whitelock lead the tackle count in the second test, a 26-13 win, having made 14 tackles during the test. Whitelock had another great game in the third test, a 49-14 win, before being replaced by debutant Jackson Hemopo off the bench. Whitelock subsequently captained the Crusaders to win Super Rugby following the June internationals. The Crusaders beat the Lions 37-18 on 4 August 2018, to win their first Super Rugby title at home in ten years.

With previous All Black captain, Kieran Read, returning from injury in the 2018 Rugby Championship, Whitelock stepped down as captain for the competition. Whitelock began the tournament by playing his 100th test for New Zealand on 18 August 2018, with the All Blacks beating Australia 38-13. Whitelock was one of the best performing players on the field and also played his 47th test in combination with Brodie Retallick, who was Man of the Match. Whitelock also became the youngest All Black to reach 100 tests, being only 29 years old at the time of their victory over Australia.

Although he was stricken by an abdominal injury, Whitelock chose to continue playing rugby while he was injured.[18] Whitelock played in all six tests of the Rugby Championship, Captaining the All Blacks for a fifth time, during the competition, leading them to a 35-17 victory over Argentina while Kieran Read was rested, prior to the second test against South Africa, which was a narrow 32-30 win, thanks to a late Ardie Savea try.

Whitelock missed the test against Japan during the 2018 end-of-year tests, with selectors saving the last of Whitelock's energy for tests against England and Ireland. Whitelock's outstanding performance, on 10 November, against England, saw the All Blacks beat England 16-15, before losing to Ireland, 9-16, the following week. Whitelock did not play in the final test for the year, against Italy, and went home early in order to rest after a long year, involving over 1900 minutes of rugby played.[19]

After an extended off-season, Whitelock returned to lead the Crusaders for the 2019 Super Rugby season in round 6 of the competition, having been named to lead them against the New South Wales Waratahs.[20] This was following the Christchurch mosque shootings, which had caused the cancellation of a fixture against the Highlanders.[21]

On 20 April 2019, Whitelock extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders, signing on to 2023. Whitelock had previously been contracted until 2020 and will miss the 2020 Super Rugby season, to take a sabbatical playing for the Ōta City-based Panasonic Wild Knights, in the Japanese Top League.[22][23]

Whitelock was named in New Zealand's 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, his third World Cup, having played in four of the five warm-up tests for the All Blacks prior to the competition, including a 92-7 defeat of Tonga, as well as a record-breaking 26-47 loss to Australia. Whitelock was named Captain for the All Blacks' 6 October Pool Match against Namibia, a 71-9 win. Whitelock started in the All Blacks' victory against Ireland in the quarter-final, and the semi-final defeat to England.

2020–2023

[edit]

New All Blacks head coach Ian Foster named Whitelock in his squad for 2020, with Whitelock the lone active New Zealander from the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Whitelock went on to play five tests in a shortened 2020 season, before captaining the All Blacks eight times in 2021; with Sam Cane missing much of that year due to injury.

Surpassing Keven Mealamu as the second-to-most capped player in New Zealand's history, Whitelock again took the captain's armband for his four final appearances in 2022. To complete the season, Whitelock with Brodie Retallick created a world record lock combination of 64 tests together.[24] This match was a 25-25 draw with England, at Twickenham Stadium.

In 2023, Whitelock was selected in the team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in his fourth cup appearance and was the sole survivor from the 2011 triumph.[25] On 29 September 2023, Whitelock became the most capped All Black of all time with 149 test caps, surpassing Richie McCaw who previously held the record with 148 test caps. Following his record-breaking appearance against Italy in a 96-17 win, Whitelock then became just the second male player in history and the first New Zealander to reach the milestone of 150 caps; after Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones. Whitelock's 150th test was a 73-0 win over Uruguay on 5 October.

Named on the bench for the World Cup quarter-final, against Ireland, Whitelock went on to jackal the winning turnover, as the All Blacks narrowly avoided defeat with a 28-24 win. Whitelock replaced Shannon Frizell off the bench in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, with South Africa claiming the title as New Zealand lost 11-12. Whitelock, having signed with Pau in the French Top 14, retired from international rugby having scored 7 tries from 153 test caps.[26]

List of international test tries

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Try Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 12 June 2010 Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Ireland 66–28 (Won) 2010 Mid-Year tests
2 12 June 2010 Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand Ireland 66–28 (Won) 2010 Mid-Year tests
3 20 November 2010 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Ireland 38-18 (Won) 2010 end-of-year tests
4 6 October 2012 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa South Africa 32-16 (Won) 2012 Rugby Championship
5 17 September 2016 AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand South Africa 41–13 (Won) 2016 Rugby Championship
6 6 October 2019 Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan Namibia 71–9 (Won) 2019 Rugby World Cup
7 24 September 2022 Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand Australia 40-14 (Won) 2022 Rugby Championship

Updated: 24 September 2022 Source: [1]

Honours

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Super Rugby

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  • Super Rugby Centurion
  • Super Rugby Champion - 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Super Rugby Pacific Final Player of the Match
    • 2022, 2023

Individual

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In the 2025 New Year Honours, Whitelock was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby and the community.[27]

International

[edit]

Personal life

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Sam Whitelock is married to Hannah Lawton, with whom he has three children.[28] Outside of rugby, he is a farmer by trade and will continue farming after his athletics career is over.[28]

Sam Whitelock is a member of the Whitelock family rugby dynasty:

  • George Whitelock - older brother, played (and captained) for Canterbury and the Crusaders; played for Otago and the All Blacks; coached in the Japanese "Top League";
  • Adam Whitelock - older brother, played for Canterbury, the Crusaders, the All Black Sevens, and the French team Aviron Bayonnais;
  • Luke Whitelock - younger brother, currently plays (and has captained) for Canterbury; played for the Crusaders and the Highlanders; played for (and captained) the All Blacks;
  • Ben Funnell - cousin, played for Canterbury and the Crusaders;
  • Braeden Whitelock - father, played for the Junior All Blacks;
  • Nelson Dalzell (1921-1989) - grandfather, played for the All Blacks.

All four of the Whitelock brothers were educated in Feilding.[29]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sam Whitelock

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel Whitelock (born 12 October 1988) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock in the second row. Standing at 2.02 metres (6 ft 8 in) tall and weighing 119 kilograms (262 lb), he is renowned for his physical presence, lineout expertise, and leadership on the field. Whitelock retired from professional rugby in 2024 as New Zealand's most-capped player with 153 Test appearances for the All Blacks, a record he set during the . Whitelock began his professional career in 2008 with the Canterbury provincial team in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (now known as the Bunnings NPC). He debuted for the Crusaders in in 2010, going on to play 180 matches for the franchise and contributing to seven titles (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). After a stellar domestic career, he moved to France in 2024 to play for Pau in the Top 14, where he made a handful of appearances before announcing his retirement at age 35. His club success was marked by consistent performances as a key forward, earning him multiple Player of the Year nominations and solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the Crusaders' dynasty. Internationally, Whitelock debuted for the All Blacks in 2010 and quickly became a linchpin of the forward pack, partnering often with in the second row. He won two s in 2011 and 2015, and captained the team from 2019 to 2023, leading them to victories in multiple times. Whitelock was the first player to appear in three consecutive semi-finals and holds the record for most Test wins (125) by a New Zealander. Born in and raised on a family farm in rural Manawatu, he comes from a rugby dynasty; his brothers George, Luke, and Adam also represented at various levels, with the four Whitelock siblings collectively playing over 200 provincial games for .

Early life and background

Family rugby heritage

Samuel Lawrence Whitelock was born on 12 October 1988 in Palmerston North, New Zealand, into a family deeply embedded in the nation's rugby tradition. His father, Braeden Whitelock, represented Manawatu in provincial rugby and played for the New Zealand Colts. Whitelock grew up alongside three brothers—George, Adam, and Luke—all of whom pursued professional rugby careers. George, the eldest, earned one cap for the All Blacks in 2009 and captained Canterbury and the Crusaders, having earlier played for Otago. Luke accumulated 7 Test caps for the All Blacks, including captaining the side in a 2018 Test against Japan, while Adam featured in Super Rugby for the Crusaders and represented New Zealand in sevens rugby. Whitelock's rugby lineage extends further back through his mother's side. His maternal grandfather, , was an All Blacks lock who played in all five Tests during the 1953–54 , , , and , debuting at age 32 after serving in . Additionally, his great-uncle, Allan Elsom, was an All Blacks three-quarter who earned 6 Test caps from 1952 to 1955, including selection for the 1953–54 tour. His cousins, and , also pursued professional rugby careers, with Funnell playing nearly 90 games for the Crusaders and , and Dalzell featuring professionally overseas. This multi-generational heritage profoundly shaped Whitelock's early exposure to rugby, instilling a passion for the sport from childhood. Raised on the family farm near , he and his brothers engaged in constant physical play and competition, honing their skills through informal games and shared farm chores that built resilience and teamwork. The siblings often trained and played together at local clubs and later in provincial and sides, fostering a supportive yet fiercely competitive environment that propelled Whitelock toward his own All Blacks career.

Education and junior career

Whitelock was born in and grew up in the Manawatu region, where his family's rugby legacy provided early motivation for his involvement in the sport. He attended High School from 2002 to 2006, representing the school in rugby and earning selection to the national secondary schools team during his time there. At High, Whitelock played as a lock forward in the 1st XV team from 2004 onward, captaining the side in 2006 and honing his skills in the forward pack. Whitelock progressed through New Zealand's age-grade rugby pathways, featuring for the Under-19 team at the 2007 IRB Junior World Championship in Ireland, where the side defeated 31-7 in the final to claim the title. He then represented the Under-20 team in 2008, contributing to their victory in the IRB Junior World Championship that year. Standing at 2.02 meters tall, Whitelock's early training emphasized physical conditioning suited to his height and the demands of the lock position, with a particular focus on lineout specialization to leverage his reach and jumping ability in set-piece play. These junior representative honors marked his initial steps toward a professional rugby career with .

Club career

Canterbury and domestic beginnings

Whitelock signed his first professional contract with Canterbury for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup (the sponsored name for that season's National Provincial Championship), marking his entry into senior domestic rugby at the age of 19. He made his debut for the province against Wellington in round 12, coming off the bench in a 20-10 victory, and went on to make two appearances that season as a promising lock forward. Drawing from his recent success with the New Zealand Under-20 team at the inaugural Junior World Championship, Whitelock's early exposure highlighted his potential in the second row, though opportunities were limited amid a competitive squad. Despite his modest playing time, Whitelock contributed to 's strong campaign in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, where the team topped the table during the regular season and advanced through the playoffs. Key moments included his involvement in the semi-final win over (31-21) and the grand final against , which Canterbury clinched 7-6 in a tense defensive battle at to secure their sixth NPC title. Under head coach , Whitelock began honing his skills in high-pressure provincial rugby, emphasizing physicality and reliability in the pack. In parallel, Whitelock secured his initial contract with the Crusaders in 2008, joining the franchise's development pathway amid a deep pool of experienced locks including and . This depth meant limited game time in his first two seasons, with his official debut delayed until 2010 against the Highlanders, where he started to establish himself. His early domestic phase under coaches like Todd Blackadder, who took over the Crusaders in 2009, focused on refining breakdown work and set-piece dominance, laying the groundwork for his rise as a lineout specialist and forward leader.

Crusaders in Super Rugby

Whitelock made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2010, appearing in a limited number of games as he built experience alongside his provincial commitments. By 2011, he transitioned to a full-time role with the franchise, quickly establishing himself as a starting lock due to his physical presence and lineout expertise. Over the next decade, he became a cornerstone of the team's forward pack, contributing to a dominant era that saw the Crusaders secure seven Super Rugby titles between 2017 and 2023, including the traditional competition wins in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023, as well as the regional Super Rugby Aotearoa crowns in 2020 and 2021. In 2017, Whitelock was appointed Crusaders captain by coach Scott Robertson, succeeding , and led the team to their first title in nine years with an undefeated regular season and a 25-17 victory over the Lions in the final at Ellis Park. That year, he was named Investec Super Rugby Player of the Year for , recognizing his leadership and on-field impact, including a standout performance in the final where the Crusaders' defensive lineout—anchored by Whitelock—neutralized the opposition's set-piece attacks. His captaincy extended through 2019, overseeing back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, before he handed over to Scott Barrett ahead of his in . Returning in 2021 after his time with Wild Knights, Whitelock resumed a senior role as and played pivotal parts in the subsequent championships, earning honors in the 2022 and 2023 finals for his commanding defensive displays. In the 2022 decider against the , he dismantled their lineout with precise calling and steals, while in 2023 against the Chiefs—his final Crusaders game—he made crucial tackles and turnovers despite a season marred by injuries like a broken hand. Throughout his tenure, Whitelock adapted to personal setbacks, including early-career ankle and issues, and contributed to the franchise's resilience amid broader challenges, such as the long-term rebuild following the 2011 earthquakes that displaced the team from their home stadium and fostered a deepened sense of unity. By his departure in 2023, Whitelock had amassed 180 appearances for the Crusaders, second only to in franchise history, embodying the team's culture of sustained excellence through multiple rebuilds, including integrating young talent post his and navigating the emotional and logistical impacts of the earthquakes on rugby.

Pau in Top 14 and retirement

In May 2023, at the age of 35, Sam Whitelock signed a two-year contract with (Pau) in France's league, marking a departure from the Crusaders after 15 seasons and seeking a fresh challenge abroad while joining his brother Luke at the club. During the 2023–2024 season, Whitelock made 13 appearances across the Top 14 and , including 12 in the domestic league and one in European competition, where he contributed to Pau's strong pool stage finish (second place with three wins) before their elimination in the quarter-finals by . Whitelock announced his retirement from professional rugby on April 2, 2024, effective at the end of the season, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family time after years away and acknowledging the cumulative physical toll of his career, which included 180 Super Rugby matches. Reflecting on his time in France, Whitelock described the Top 14 as an "immense challenge" due to its heightened physical demands and faster pace compared to , requiring rapid adaptation to the European style's intensity and tactical complexity.

International career

All Blacks debut and early years

Sam Whitelock made his All Blacks debut on 12 June 2010 against in , entering as a replacement for and scoring two tries in New Zealand's 66–28 victory. His immediate impact from the bench highlighted his potential as a lock, following strong domestic form with and his debut with the Crusaders earlier that year. Whitelock featured in eleven Tests during 2010, contributing to New Zealand's Tri Nations title win and successful defenses of the . Whitelock's selection for the squad marked a pivotal step, where he appeared in all seven matches, starting six alongside in the second row as claimed the title with an 8–7 final win over . His consistent performances solidified his role, leading to 14 Test appearances in 2012, including starts in triumph and further successes. By the end of 2013, Whitelock had reached 50 caps, with notable contributions such as leading the tackle count in a 30–22 victory over during the end-of-year tour. In 2012, Whitelock formed a formidable second-row partnership with , emphasizing lineout precision and forward dominance that became a cornerstone of the All Blacks' pack. This duo played key roles in the 2014 victory, with Whitelock starting all matches en route to another title and Bledisloe retention. Their collaboration extended into the , where Whitelock featured in every game, helping win the title with a 34–17 victory over in the final.

Captaincy and mid-career highlights

Whitelock's ascent to leadership within the All Blacks began in earnest during the 2017 end-of-year tour, where he captained the side for the first time against in on November 25, filling in for the injured regular captain . The All Blacks secured a 33-18 victory, with Whitelock's composed presence at the lineout and in the tight phases proving instrumental in maintaining control against a resilient Welsh pack. This debut in the captain's role marked him as the 69th test captain in All Blacks history and highlighted his growing influence under head coach , who praised Whitelock's natural leadership qualities honed through years of vice-captaincy duties in the leadership group. Earlier that year, Whitelock played a pivotal role in the All Blacks' unbeaten series against the , starting all three tests as achieved a 1-1-1 draw—winning the first test 30-15 before two thrilling 24-24 and 15-15 stalemates. His partnership with in the second row was central to the forward dominance that frustrated the Lions' set-piece strategies, contributing to 220 tackles and multiple turnover wins that underscored the All Blacks' defensive resilience. Whitelock's experience from over 80 tests by then allowed him to anchor the pack during high-pressure moments, such as the final test's late defensive stands at . This series elevated his status, leading to his formal appointment as full-time vice-captain under Hansen in the lead-up to the 2018 season, where he supported Read in managing and on-field decisions. Whitelock reached his 100th test milestone in 2018 against in on August 18, becoming the youngest All Black to achieve the feat at age 28 and the fastest globally to reach it in just 96 months. The All Blacks won 38-13, with Whitelock's lineout steals and carrying yards setting the tone for a dominant forward display. During the 2018 northern tour—part of the Autumn Nations Series—Whitelock featured prominently in victories over (16-15) and (66-3), though a narrow 9-16 loss to exposed some team vulnerabilities; his 16 tackles and key steals in the England win were vital to the narrow escape. These performances came amid broader All Blacks inconsistencies that year, including a shock 34-36 home defeat to in , where errors and turnovers plagued the side—issues Whitelock addressed as vice-captain by emphasizing discipline in training. By 2019, Whitelock's helped the All Blacks overcome those inconsistencies to clinch with a perfect 5-0 record, culminating in a 19-0 shutout of . Under Hansen, the team evolved tactically in attack, adopting a deeper structure with wide forward runners off second distributors to exploit edges more dynamically, a shift Whitelock facilitated through his positioning in phase play and support lines. This revamped approach, combined with Whitelock's 12 test starts that year, restored cohesion and set a strong platform heading into the , reflecting his mid-career peak as a stabilizing force in both and .

Later international phase and World Cups

Whitelock's international career entered its later phase amid the disruptions of the , which severely limited the All Blacks' 2020 schedule to a series of domestic-based tests against and . Despite the shortened season and his interrupted stint with Panasonic Wild Knights in , Whitelock was retained as a key experienced leader, featuring in all four matches and providing stability to the forward pack during a time of restricted international travel and preparation. The had marked a challenging end to his mid-career peak, with suffering a 19-7 semi-final defeat to in , where Whitelock started but could not prevent the All Blacks' exit despite a strong defensive effort. Building on that experience, Whitelock returned for the in , his fourth consecutive tournament, where he achieved a historic by earning his 150th in a 73-0 pool-stage victory over on 5 . In the quarter-final against on 14 October, Whitelock came off the bench in a tense 28-24 win, making a decisive turnover after 37 phases of Irish pressure to secure a crucial penalty and propel forward, though the team ultimately exited in the semi-final loss and the final defeat to . His final came on 28 October in the final against , a narrow 12-11 loss at the , after which he retired from international rugby as the most-capped All Black with 153 appearances. This farewell underscored his enduring legacy as a in the team's transition under new Scott Robertson, mentoring emerging talent while embodying the All Blacks' standards of leadership and resilience.

Career statistics and records

Test match record and tries

Sam Whitelock played 153 Test matches for the All Blacks between 2010 and 2023, scoring 7 tries for a total of 35 points, with New Zealand securing victory in 125 of those encounters for an approximate 82% win rate; he participated in four Rugby World Cups (, , 2019, and 2023). He earned the most caps against with 19 appearances, followed by (18) and (14). Key milestones in his international career included his 100th Test on 18 August 2018 against in , a 38–13 victory that marked him as the youngest All Black to reach the century at age 29. His 150th Test came during the against on 5 October in , resulting in a 73–0 win and making him the second-most capped men's international player ever at that point. Whitelock's seven Test tries were scored across six matches, often in dominant victories and showcasing his forward's opportunism from close range. The following table lists them with dates, opponents, results, and brief contexts:
Try No.DateOpponentResultContext
1 & 212 June 201066–28 (W)Scored two tries on debut as a replacement in , contributing to a nine-try rout after played with 14 men following an early red card.
320 November 201038–18 (W)Touched down shortly after halftime in to extend the lead during New Zealand's end-of-year tour victory.
46 October 201232–16 (W)Opened the scoring with an early try in , helping secure a clean sweep in the inaugural .
58 October 201657–15 (W)Crossed for a try in the second half in , part of New Zealand's record 57-point margin—their largest win in .
66 October 201971–9 (W)Scored the eighth try late in the pool match in , one of 11 total for New Zealand in a comprehensive thrashing.
724 September 202240–14 (W)His final international try, awarded after a contentious review in during , sealing a win.

Club appearances and milestones

Whitelock amassed a total of 180 appearances in , all with the Crusaders from 2010 to 2023, during which the franchise secured six titles in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. In provincial rugby, he recorded 22 appearances for in the NPC between 2008 and 2013, including contributions to their championship wins in 2009 and 2013. Whitelock concluded his professional career with 13 appearances for Pau in the Top 14 and European Rugby Challenge Cup during the 2023–2024 season. Key milestones in his club tenure include reaching his 100th appearance for the Crusaders in 2016 against the , where he scored the opening try in a 42–20 victory, and retiring as the franchise's most-capped player with 180 games.
CompetitionTeamAppearancesTitles WonYears
Super RugbyCrusaders18062010–2023
NPC/ITM CupCanterbury2222008–2013
Top 14 & Challenge CupPau1302023–2024

Honours and achievements

Team successes

Whitelock contributed to seven Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders, securing titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (Super Rugby Aotearoa), 2021 (Super Rugby Aotearoa), 2022, and 2023. On the international stage, he was part of four New Zealand squads at the Rugby World Cup, helping the All Blacks win the tournament in 2011 and 2015, reach the semi-finals in 2019, and the quarter-finals in 2023. Whitelock featured in 10 Rugby Championship victories for the All Blacks in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The All Blacks also claimed the Bledisloe Cup 14 times during his career, from 2010 to 2023. At the domestic level, Whitelock won two NPC titles with Canterbury in 2008 and 2012. With Pau in the Top 14, Whitelock made a handful of appearances before his retirement.

Individual awards and recognition

Whitelock earned significant individual recognition during his playing career, particularly in 2017 when he was awarded the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Trophy as New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year for his outstanding performances with the All Blacks and Crusaders. That same year, he was named Player of the Year, honoring his leadership in guiding the Crusaders to the title. In 2018, Whitelock became the youngest player to reach 100 Test caps for the All Blacks, achieving the feat at 29 years old in a 38-13 win over in . His consistent excellence led to further accolades, including selection to the Men's 15s Dream Team in 2022, where he was one of only two All Blacks recognized alongside his longtime partner . Whitelock was selected for the Men's 15s Team of the Decade (2010–2019) in 2020. After retiring in 2024, Whitelock received the Officer of the (ONZM) in the 2025 , acknowledging his contributions to rugby through leadership, two victories, and community involvement in .

Personal life and legacy

Family and off-field interests

Sam Whitelock married his longtime partner, Hannah Lawton, in early 2016 after meeting her during their time at Lincoln University. The couple has three children: a son named Fred born in 2017, a daughter named Iris born in 2019, and another daughter named Penelope born in September 2021. Whitelock has often highlighted the importance of family in providing stability amid his professional commitments, including the relocation to Pau in following the where Hannah and the children joined him during his stint with the club alongside his brother Luke. Whitelock hails from a rugby-oriented —his three brothers, George, Adam, and Luke, also pursued professional careers in the sport—and he credits this background for instilling a strong from a young age. Beyond , he remains deeply involved in farming, having grown up on the dairy farm in rural Manawatu near Linton and continuing to manage agricultural interests as his primary trade outside rugby. The Whitelock shares a passion for , with his parents owning several racehorses and the brothers collectively campaigning a promising in events. In his off-field endeavors, Whitelock engages in charity work tied to rugby foundations, notably as an ambassador for Farmstrong, an initiative supporting rural mental health and wellbeing through practical resources for farmers and their families. He has hosted deserving rural households at Crusaders matches via the team's Crusade with Heart program and conducted rugby clinics for children in rural communities to inspire youth development. Additionally, Whitelock advocates for mental health awareness in sports, drawing on the intense pressures of his All Blacks captaincy to promote strategies for resilience, such as seeking mental breaks through farming and openly addressing disappointment to foster better emotional management among athletes.

Post-retirement activities and contributions

Following his retirement from professional rugby in May 2024, Sam Whitelock released his , View from the Second Row, on 1 August 2024, offering personal reflections on his 14-year international career, lessons, and life amid the demands of . The book draws on his experiences across four Rugby World Cups, emphasizing mental resilience and , while also touching on the balance between professional commitments and personal relationships. Whitelock has since engaged in media and ambassadorial roles to promote rugby and . He serves as an ambassador for Farmstrong, a initiative supporting among farmers and growers, where he shares insights from his transition back to the family dairy farm in , drawing parallels between rugby's pressures and rural challenges. In October 2025, Whitelock and his family listed their 833-hectare sheep and beef farm in Rissington, Hawke's Bay, for sale to pursue opportunities on the multigenerational family dairy farm in Manawatu. In webinars and podcasts, such as those hosted by Farmstrong and rugby outlets, he discusses post-career adjustment, , and the importance of seeking support, contributing to broader conversations on athlete . His community contributions extend to mentoring emerging rugby players and aiding recovery efforts in Canterbury. Whitelock has provided guidance to young athletes, leveraging his expertise as a lock to advise on skill development and , aligning with his expressed desire to give back to the . He has also supported Christchurch's post-earthquake recovery by sharing personal stories of resilience from the 2010-2011 events, using these experiences in Farmstrong talks to highlight strategies for long-term rebuilding and mental recovery in affected communities. These efforts culminated in Whitelock being appointed an Officer of the (ONZM) in the 2025 New Year's Honours for services to rugby and the community, recognizing his mentorship of young players, advocacy for farmers' wellbeing, and inspirational role in regional recovery initiatives.

References

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