On Thursday, the New Zealand Herald revealed that new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson was trying to convince Sam Whitelock to return home to continue playing with the team. The second row, who arrived in Pau in December after the World Cup, signed a two-season contract with the Section, where he joined his brother Luke.
Whitelock (35 years old) has already played seven matches in the Béarnais jersey. While the World Cup final in France lost against South Africa (11-12) looked like the last of his 153 caps, the giant could extend the adventure with the Blacks, starting with the summer tour. The Republic of the Pyrenees also reminds this Friday that it has an exemption to play the July test matches against England (twice) and Fiji.
Before returning to New Zealand, to his long-time franchise, the Crusaders? Whitelock has a release clause in his contract to leave before the deadline of June 2025. “Whether you are Georgian or New Zealand, the call of the national team is strong, commented the president of the Section, Bernard Pontneau, with La République des Pyrénées. He will judge for himself. But for the moment, I have nothing to discuss. »
Robertson interested in “his” Europeans
Met in London ahead of the England-Ireland match (23-22) which he came to supervise during the last Six Nations Tournament, Scott Robertson asked us with interest for news of “his” European players, like Sam Whitelock, to whom he wanted to make a phone call, Jack Goodhue (Castres) or Leicester Fainga’anuku (Toulon).
If he does not have control over this issue, the new boss of the All Blacks still wants to influence the modification of the eligibility conditions for the New Zealand selection, in order to be able to count on elements playing far from the country , notably in the Japanese Championship (like Sam Cane or Beauden Barrett, whom he wishes to see again in black). The contribution of a Sam Whitelock to begin this new cycle could thus provide him with leadership and experience worthy of the name while launching a new generation of players.
Robertson knows Whitelock well since he was his coach at the Crusaders between 2017 and 2023 (winning five Super Rugby together). Since the departure of these two totems, the Canterbury franchise seems at its worst with four defeats in as many matches this season. And Scott Barrett’s injury (broken finger) will not help them get back up.
