Whitelock looks set to join overseas exodus
It’s not a matter of if Luke Whitelock will head overseas, but a case of when.
The twice-capped All Black and Highlanders loose forward is offcontract at the end of the year and is weighing up whether to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby or cash in overseas.
A Highlander since 2016, the 27-year-old has started discussing his future with the Dunedin-based franchise, while also exploring overseas options.
‘‘We’re just looking at what that might look like, if we stay,’’ Whitelock told
‘‘We’re just trying to get a whole picture, whether that’s to stay at home or to go overseas. And we’ll go at some point, it’s just we’re trying to work out what’s best for myself and my fiancee [Claire Laredo].’’
Should Whitelock, who captained Canterbury to their ninth NPC title in 10 years last year, decide it’s time to pack his bags and try his luck overseas at the end of this season, he’ll join an evergrowing list of departing Kiwi players.
Already fellow Highlander Lima Sopoaga (Wasps), Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai (Lyon), Chiefs flanker Liam Messam (Toulon), Crusaders wing Seta Tamanivalu (Bordeaux) and Hurricanes loose forward Brad Shields (Wasps) will leave New Zealand at the end of the year.
With cashed up European and Japanese clubs circling there will no doubt be more, and another of Whitelock’s team-mates - Elliot Dixon could be one of them.
The 28-year-old three-cap All Black loose forward has made it no secret he’s entertaining heading overseas, and can activate a clause in his contract which would enable him to walk the moment the Highlanders’ season ends.
‘‘It’s always a good thing to stay, but if interest comes from overseas that I can’t pass up, then I suppose I will go, especially if it’s in the benefit of my family,’’ Dixon said in November.
Given Whitelock, who debuted for the All Blacks against Japan in 2014, was back in the national frame on last year’s northern tour, he could decide it’s worth sticking around, particularly with the World Cup in Japan just 19 months away.
Whitelock captained the All Blacks against a French XV in Lyon last November, before stepping in for injured captain Kieran Read and starting at No 8 in the All Blacks’ 33-18 win against Wales in the final test of 2017.
‘‘It was great to play those last couple of games. You always want to be in that black jersey and it was awesome to get a couple of games on that end of year tour,’’ Whitelock said.
Due to his return to the national side, Whitelock is coming off an extended break and didn’t rejoin the Highlanders until the end of January.
Mentally and physically refreshed, the No 8 got through 60 minutes in the Highlanders’ 42-26 pre-season win against the Crusaders in Waimumu last Thursday.
‘‘Pre-season is a tough thing to go through, it was just slightly different [this year]. You still do a lot of training. It’s just done a bit differently and it allows you to get a bit more of a mental break, so that was quite good.’’ Whitelock said.