Whitelock has a big season ahead of him
Whether Luke Whitelock features in the All Blacks selectors’ World Cup masterplan will be one of many subjects discussed as the Super Rugby season progresses.
The No 8 gets another chance to brush off the cobwebs when he captains the Highlanders against the Crusaders at the Southbridge rugby club, where the Farmlands Cup will be contested this evening.
This will be the final trial for both teams before Super Rugby starts next weekend, with the Highlanders travelling to Hamilton to face the Chiefs on the Friday and the Crusaders hosted by the Blues in Auckland the following night. Truth be known, this evening’s result doesn’t really matter. It’s not about that so early in the year.
But for Whitelock, 28, everything matters. He has a big job ahead of him this year. After starting all three tests against France last June while Kieran Read recovered from spinal surgery, Whitelock made just two more appearances for the All Blacks last year; he was used as a replacement against Argentina in Nelson and later, having been omitted from the 32-man squad to Japan and Europe, he was included in the ‘‘wider squad’’ of 19 players to assemble in Tokyo for the game against Japan.
Whitelock captained the All Blacks to a 69-31 victory at Ajinomoto Stadium, immediately returning to New Zealand while Read assumed his duties as the starting No 8 and skipper for the final three tests against England, Ireland and Italy.
The competition for places in the back row ahead of the World Cup in Japan doesn’t lack heat. Although Liam Squire is used at No 6 for the All Blacks, when fit and available, he provides power and bulk as a ball carrier at No 8 and will be requesting that Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger do him a favour and give him a few runs in that position to prove his versatility ahead of the global tournament.
Jordan Taufua is also tidy at No 8, despite being used more often at blindside flanker where he will start for the Crusaders in Southbridge. Had it not been for a series of unfortunate mishaps Taufua would have earned his first test cap last year. Named in the All Blacks squad to play France, he had to withdraw because of a calf strain.
Breaking an arm in the Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes stretched his run of misfortune, and he wasn’t considered for the All Blacks squad to tour at the end of the year.
With his All Blacks stars off limits until the competition starts, Mauger has been unable to name key players such as Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo and Squire for this game.
Whitelock is joined by All Black front rowers Liam Coltman and Tyrel Lomax in the starting pack. Flanker Dillon Hunt is in the reserves.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is in a similar position, with the top internationals unavailable for pre-season outings.