This was special says Whitelock
Sam Whitelock is not one to make a fuss about pretty much anything. But the stoic All Blacks lock had to admit it felt pretty damn good to join the exclusive group he had just barged his way into as the youngest to do so.
As Whitelock sat there post-Bledisloe I in Sydney’s ANZ Stadium with that limited edition shiny silver cap atop his head, marking his 100th test match for the All Blacks, he was a snapshot of happiness. His beloved team had just galloped in five secondhalf tries to leave the Wallabies in their dust and slam one meaty paw on the Bledisloe Cup for a 16th straight year.
And he’d made it to a milestone he never dreamed he would achieve when he set out on his test journey as a fresh-faced second-rower in 2010.
‘‘It’s pretty unique,’’ he said of the headwear that only seven men before him have been gifted. ‘‘Reado [captain Kieran Read] said there are only eight guys [to have achieved the century], so it’s a pretty cool club to be a part of.
‘‘I’m sure there are a lot of boys in the changing-room that will become part of that club as well, and I know a lot them are striving towards getting that 100th test match [Owen Franks will almost certainly get there on Saturday]. It’s pretty cool to say now I’ve done it.’’
Even better with the performance that unfolded over the second 40 in front of a crowd of 66,318 at the Olympic venue. The All Blacks had been short of their fluent best through a messy first half to trail 6-5 at the break, but won the second spell 33-7 to continue their unprecedented Bledisloe dominance.
‘‘We were struggling a bit in that first half but it was critical we scored just before halftime and then went back straight away after and got more points,’’ said Whitelock. ‘‘That put scoreboard pressure on them and allowed us to take a deep breath, and when we did that we were able to click better.’’
Whitelock led a brilliant All Blacks lineout that forced seven turnovers, and said they had a night when their pressure simply turned to possession.
‘‘I’m looking forward to next week because they’ll have good look at it and no doubt they’ll come up with a plan that will counter what we are trying to do. There’s always bit of cat and mouse going on there.’’
Whitelock was asked if he felt they’d broken the Australians’ backs with their relentless squeeze up front which he was a big, big part of.
‘‘It never feels that way. You’re only one away from being ripped open and them scoring. So it was about making sure we stayed on the money and were working hard. But it is great when you do win ball and give it to these guys [he gestured to Beauden Barrett alongside], and they go all right.’’
At the other end of the scale, Whitelock’s Crusaders team-mate Tim Perry won his first test cap when he entered the fray at loosehead prop in the 54th minute. At 30 he’s ancient for a rookie, but looked like a kid in a candy store post-match.
‘‘He’s the same age as me, so he’s not that old,’’ objected Whitelock. ‘‘We played some rugby at school together, and it’s been cool seeing Tim stick it out. He’s had a few bad injuries and setbacks but he’s stayed here and worked hard and tonight was awesome to be out there when he came on.
‘‘He was pretty pumped up too. I tried to say well done, but he was in game mode. He did what the team needed him to do.’’
Perry added: ‘‘It was awesome. Playing a couple of games on the end-of-year tour last year made me really hungry to get a test. In June I blew that opportunity with injury, and had to work hard to get selected again and make that dream a reality.
‘‘It was a special moment. I wouldn’t have forgotten it anyway but it’s even more special with Sam’s 100th test and even more reason I’ll never forget this day.’’