KIDS' CRUSADER Sam's off-field heroics

THE ALL BLACK’S PERSONALLY INDEBTED TO THE FLYING DOCTORS SERVICE

- Leena Tailor

As his four-year-old son Fred and two-year-old daughter Iris fearlessly chase bumblebees in the backyard during a family beach getaway, All Black lock Sam Whitelock says he loves nothing more than watching his children grow. Milestone birthdays are particularly special, with Sam, who is an ambassador for NZ Flying Doctors, relishing celebrating Iris’ first birthday during the lockdown.

“We couldn’t have the traditional first birthday party, but we put her under a feijoa tree and she sat there for three hours and ate probably 100 feijoas,” Sam, 32, tells. “It wasn’t too much fun when it all came through the other side! But it was cool to see her do what she wanted as a one-year-old.”

Such moments are part of the treasured memories the Crusaders star, his wife Hannah, their four-year-old son Fred and Iris created during the pause from rugby commitments brought on by Covid-19. And it couldn’t have been more fun for the children, who were handed control of daily activities.

“It was nice to wake up and ask them, ‘What do you want to do today?’ and do whatever they said, rather than living a busy life. There were different pressures going on, but it was so nice to have that family time.”

While Sam’s now back in action with rugby, he’s continuing to enjoy parenting milestones.

“They’ve got their own little personalities now and they know how to wind each other up – and push the right buttons with their parents! It’s pretty cool when you see them smile for the first time or roll, crawl and walk.