Test swansong: Luke Whitelock on the charge for New Zealand against Japan in 2018
Whitelock, who is 29 and currently playing for Pau, is the youngest of four brothers raised on the family dairy farm at Linton, near Palmerston North on New Zealand’s North Island.
He, Sam and George are All Blacks while Adam starred for New Zealand on the Sevens circuit.
All represented Crusaders in Super Rugby, notably lining up together for the first time against the Bulls in 2013, while Sam, 31, tops the family honours board with 117 caps and two World Cups – and may yet achieve a unique hat-trick if he makes it through to France in 2023.
Luke, who won the last of seven caps against Japan in 2018, told TRP: “We’re all so proud of Samuel who’s had an outstanding career in terms of playing over 100 Tests, 150-odd games for the Crusaders and Canterbury and shows no sign of slowing down yet.
“It’s pretty amazing and in a lot of those international matches he’s gone the distance. When you think of the brutality of some of those Tests, that’s impressive seeing him do that.
“He’s only 31, so if he’s still got the motivation and desire to carry on, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at the next World Cup in France, trying to make up for last year.
This story is from the April 19, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 19, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
