Whitelock remains coy on All Blacks captaincy chances
Sam Whitelock isn’t sitting on his hands in the hope All Blacks coach Ian Foster comes calling with an offer to captain the national side.
The 32-year-old, who was openly disappointed to miss out to the now injured Sam Cane last year, is one of a few candidates to skipper the All Blacks in Cane’s absence later this year.
However, Whitelock was coy on the matter this week, insisting the prospect of leading the men in black isn’t on his mind as he prepares for another shot at Super Rugby glory with the Crusaders.
‘‘I can’t say I’ve thought about that [captaining the All Blacks] too much,’’ Whitelock said ahead of tonight’s final against the Chiefs in Christchurch.
‘‘The best thing I can do at the moment is just play good rugby. That will take care of Super Rugby and also the All Blacks. If I’m playing good rugby, then that conversation might be had.
‘‘If it’s not, then it’s not my conversation to lead. So, that’s all I can control, playing good rugby and hopefully that’s what I will do.’’
It’s fair to say Whitelock is playing good rugby in his 12th season with the red-and-blacks. In fact, many feel he’s turned back the clock and playing some of his best rugby.
Having captained the Crusaders to three straight titles between 2017-19, he relinquished the captaincy to fellow lock Scott Barrett when he briefly departed for Japan last year, something coach Scott Robertson feels has rejuvenated him.
Whitelock still plays a big hand leadership wise, both through his actions and words, although he’s mindful when to speak up.
‘‘I’m playing a different role than I have in the past, trying to support Scott as much as I can without being too controlling.
‘‘So, at times working out when to ask a question, when to say nothing, when to just let him make a mistake. Something that I might have tried in the past and didn’t work, but it might actually work for Scott.’’
Whitelock, who has played 121 tests for the All Blacks since 2010, quietly surpassed Kieran Read (156 games) as the second most capped Crusader on April 11, when the reigning champions edged the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Only tighthead prop Wyatt Crockett (203) has played more games for the Christchurch-based franchise than Whitelock.
Tonight’s final will mark his 159th match, a number he’s set to build on for at least two more years.
‘‘Quietly is a good word. Anyone that knows me, I’m not about the fanfare or anything like that. But a pretty humbling thing to do,’’ Whitelock said of surpassing Read.
‘‘I spoke to Reado the other night for a couple of hours, which was nice just to catch up with an old mate ... nice to catch up and talk around a few of the things we’ve experienced here at the Crusaders together.’’
The pair won three titles together, including the satisfying triumph against the Lions in Johannesburg in 2017, before Read departed after the 2019 campaign.
Now, the Crusaders are on the cusp of winning a fifth straight title.
‘‘That’s something definitely, myself personally, I’m aware of, and the team is aware of. But the reality is the team changes year to year,’’ he said.
‘‘I think that’s what makes it special. This is the one opportunity this group has to go out there and play well in a final and hopefully win.’’
His advice for the team as they prepare for a tilt at a recordextending 12th title is simple.
‘‘You’ve got to enjoy it, that’s the first thing. I’d say that to everyone . . . You’ve got to go out there and enjoy it.
‘‘I think if you’re doing that, nine times out of 10 you’re playing well, and everything kind of flows from there.’’