Whitelock primed for semifinal against ‘Canes
Sam Whitelock should be giving off a vibe that suggests he would love nothing better than to issue a death stare at his interrogators.
Given the Crusaders’ captain will be loaded-up with multiple responsibilities during the Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes in Christchurch tonight, some may think he should have already worked himself into a cranky state.
As the saying goes, the buck stops with the boss.
Come kick-off at AMI Stadium Whitelock must navigate his team through a potential minefield that could range from controversial decisions by referee Jaco Peyper, to unconventional tactics from the opposition or, God forbid, a thick fog blanketing the ground.
However, if Whitelock, 29, was feeling nervy at the team’s captain’s run yesterday he had buried his emotions deep within. Rather than stalk around in a dark mood as if ready to lash out at an inanimate object, the towering lock appeared relaxed and confident his team’s preparations would give them a decent shot at defending their crown against either the Lions or Waratahs in the final.
“I wouldn’t say I am an over-talkative captain,” he said. “I think when people are talking too much they are a little bit nervous, and may not have done their own prep throughout the week.
“And that probably comes through in talking too much. The beautiful thing here is we have so many experienced leaders and there are some great voices from some of the young boys. In some games I don’t even say anything.”
David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.
Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Gareth Evans, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff To’omagaAllen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea/Reed Prinsep, Jamie Booth, Ihaia West, Wes Goosen. franchise, he has been replaced in the team by Lourens Erasmus.
Brink suffered a stinger against the Jaguares and was replaced at the interval by Marnus Schoeman, but has not recovered in time to take on the ‘Tahs. Schoeman remains on the bench, however, with Erasmus, who usually plays in the second-row, chosen ahead of the flanker. Elsewhere, the hosts are unchanged, although back-rower Hacjivah Dayimani is among the replacements because of Erasmus’ elevation to the first team.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Lourens Erasmus, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Hacjivah Dayimani, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi.