Former Wild Knights lock and All Blacks great Sam Whitelock announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
The rugby world has been quick to hail the glittering career of the most capped player in All Blacks history.
Palmerston North native Whitelock, 35, who will see out his career at Pau in France, played for Robbie Deans’ Saitama Wild Knights in the 2019-2020 season.
The long-time Crusader and former All Blacks captain followed in the footsteps of his older brother George in playing for the Panasonic-backed side while he was joined by his cousin Hamish Dalzell in Saitama for the penultimate Top League season.
Wild Knights mainstay and Japan international Asaeli Ai Valu played with the two-time World Cup winner and was full of praise for Whitelock’s influence on his teammates and his illustrious career.
“Sam was a humble guy and was very focused,” said the Tonga-born forward.
“I learnt those habits from him so that I could improve my game. He is a very tough guy and even when he’s just training and preparing for the game you can see he’s a world-class player.”
Former League One winner Ai Valu, whose father and older sister both represented Tonga, added: “Without doubt he is a true legend of the game.”
Whitelock, who made five Top League appearances for the Wild Knights, told the All Blacks website: “I think if you talk to anyone who has played for a long time, that desire [to compete] never leaves, it’s just that stage of life when you move on.
“It’s not a decision that we have come to lightly, but it’s the right thing for myself and it’s the right thing for my wife and our three kids - Fred, Iris and Penelope.
“And I think that is what excites me the most – spending more time with my kids and my wife, and actually watching them play sport. Being able to go to the cross-country at school and those things."
Whitelock made his All Blacks debut in 2010, scoring two tries against Ireland and went on to earn 153 caps for his country, winning successive World Cup’s in 2011 and 2015. Pictures courtesy of Saitama Wild Knights
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