Gone but not forgotten: NZR’s plan for ABs

Locking duo Whitelock and Retallick may be a long way from home, but they’ll still have familiar staff on hand to monitor their progress, writes Aaron Goile.

While his fellow All Blacks are under strict rest protocols in Super Rugby, the potential national captain is not being allowed to gallop free in Japan either.

Lock Sam Whitelock is set to be paid a visit by All Blacks medical staff, who are anxious to monitor his progress at the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Top League competition, ahead of his return for the start of the international season.

The 31-year-old last year resigned with New Zealand Rugby through till 2023, but with a special clause to allow him to this year bank an overseas experience and a whack of yen.

NZR has bent its rules so the 117-test lock can still be selected for national duty this year, despite skipping Super Rugby with a Crusaders team he has led to three titles in three years.

Upon return, it’s highly conceivable Whitelock will take over from the retired Kieran Read as All Blacks skipper, when New Zealand open their season on July 4 against Wales at Eden Park.

And even if he wasn’t named captain, the hard-grafting second rower presents as a huge part of the team’s plans in 2020, with his presence particularly vital for the fact that fellow world-class lock Brodie Retallick won’t be involved in test rugby this year.

Retallick is going toe-to-toe with Whitelock in Japan, turning out for the Kobelco Steelers on his playing sabbatical, which sees him not contracted with NZR again until May, 2021.

But such is the importance of both men to the Kiwi game plans were in place to have staff on the ground in Japan to monitor them, NZR head of high performance Mike Anthony told the Sunday Star-Times.

All Blacks strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill and team physiotherapist Pete Gallagher will link up with each of them to keep close tabs on how they’re tracking.

‘‘We certainly don’t say ‘see you in six months’,’’ Anthony said of a situation he compared to any All Black returning from a long-term injury.

NZR head of high performance Mike Anthony

‘‘[We’ll have] regular contact with those guys to make sure that they’re producing as we would expect and that they’re being well managed.

‘‘So having strong relationships with those clubs is really important, as well as with the player.

‘‘And we’re lucky that they’re good blokes, so they know what they need to do.’’

Helping is the Kiwi coaching connection at the clubs. Robbie Deans is in charge of Whitelock at the Wild Knights, while Dave

‘‘We certainly don’t say ‘see you in six months’ . [We’ll have] regular contact with those guys to make sure that they’re producing as we would expect and that they’re being well managed.’’