Return rumours are premature
Sam Whitelock’s touted return to the Crusaders for the all-New Zealand Super Rugby competition is not a given.
The 31-year-old, who captained the red-and-blacks to Super Rugby glory each of the past three years, is eager to do so but is yet to receive the green light.
He won’t get it until a number of obstacles have been removed, including gaining permission from Japanese club Panasonic, who he was playing for until Covid-19 halted rugby last month, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
Whitelock last year signed a fouryear deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) which included a sabbatical, allowing him to skip Super Rugby this season but return to play for the All Blacks.
It means he is currently classed as a ‘‘non-playing member’’ of the Crusaders, who want their worldclass lock to suit up for them when rugby returns, which could be as soon as the middle of next month.
Whitelock’s inclusion would only boost the competition, something NZR will be well aware of as they prepare to put on a quality product for the rugby-starved public.
Negotiations between the Christchurch-based franchise, Whitelock and his agent, NZR and Panasonic are ongoing, Robertson confirmed.
‘‘That’s all part of it. Do we need to have an injury?’’ Robertson told Stuff when asked if someone else in the squad would need to drop out to make room for him. ‘‘Sammy is keen, he would love to play. But we are making sure we go through the process and everyone is across it.
‘‘I couldn’t comment on the money and contract side of it, but I know part of that four-year deal was so he could come back and play for the All Blacks, and I’m sure the All Black selectors would love Sam to be available and to play in this competition.’’
Robertson said squad size was a similar story for teams with New Zealand
sevens players, such as Blues wing Caleb Clarke, who is available to play with the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders were all granted permission to recruit extra players to cover their sevens representatives. ‘‘Do we hold a bigger squad?’’ Robertson asked.
‘‘Now we have a competition, in the next two weeks we will work with all the parties to make sure [Whitelock] gets the green light.’’
Whitelock told Stuff he hoped to make an immediate return but was taking a ‘‘wait and see’’ approach while details were hammered out.
Robertson admitted he had done some reflecting of his own during lockdown.
Robertson is contracted to the Crusaders through 2021, but talk of him leaving New Zealand late next year ramped up after he missed out on the All Blacks coaching job to Ian Foster last December.
‘‘I think everyone has reflected on their current jobs and their situation. As a coach, you look at your options, you reflect what’s best for yourself and your family and you wait and see.’’