If it weren't for the ruptured ligaments, the surgery and painstaking rehab, you'd imagine Graham Henry would be pretty happy with the way Sam Whitelock's season was tracking.
There was the explosive start to the season following on from his breakthrough season, there was a nice 10-week break in the middle, followed by a gradual rediscovery of his best form in time for the most important international season in the history of the world.
Picture perfect, then, if it wasn't for the fact he left Twickenham in March in considerable pain and spent the next couple of months channel surfing, studying and, when a little more mobile, helping out on the family farm.
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"The first couple of weeks after the surgery I was housebound really," Whitelock said. "After that I went home [to Manawatu] for a week or two to see mum and dad and tried to help out around the farm as much as I could. I did some study at university; I'm doing a Bachelor of Science at Lincoln [for a post-rugby career in farming], so I tried to tick off a couple of papers there."
At the conclusion of last year's grand slam tour Henry noted that Whitelock's worst performance of the year was in the final test against Wales; he was beginning to look tired. The All Black coach also said it was important players had an opportunity to remove themselves fully from the team environment during the Super 15 to freshen up mentally.
"By the time I was ready to start training again, the guys were in South Africa, so most of my time off was actually away from the team. I had time to concentrate on getting my body right, without the temptation of running around with the team."
The lock made his return against the Blues in Timaru and, ahead of tomorrow's elimination playoff against the Sharks, admits he's still getting his rugby legs back.
"It's taken me a little bit longer than I would have liked to get back into a few things. Some parts of my game I'm really happy with, other parts I need to spend some extra time on," he said. "That's always the challenge of coming back from injury. It doesn't matter how well you train, you never come back and play your best rugby straight away."
It's the more technical things that take longer, like getting back in sync with teammates who have had twice as many games polishing combinations and perfecting timing. Other aspects, like ball carrying, really is like riding a bike.
"We've been doing that in the back yard since we were little fellas. Getting back into the flow of that is easy, but other things you need to do your homework on."
In other ways, he's slotted back in like he was never away.
The 22-year-old is the town sheriff, the collector of team fines. It is said that he brooks no nonsense in this role, that efficiency is his byword.
It's an enforcer's role, a job he is clearly being groomed for on the field as well.
With Brad Thorn at his side, Whitelock has focused more on his ball-winning roles. Those who know him well says he has a bit of mongrel in his DNA - it's hard to imagine you can grow up the third in a family of four boys and not have some bite - and that he is capable of morphing into the complete lock.
Right now all he's concerned with is the trip to Nelson and a meeting with the Sharks.
"When I had my time off I was pretty determined to get back on the field. Now I've done that, I'm keen to get some really good form in and start playing the way I know I can. Looking beyond this weekend is probably a silly thing to do, but in saying that it's a big year and everyone knows there's some pretty important rugby to be played later on."
SAM WHITELOCK
* Born: Palmerston North
* Age: 22
* Physical: 2.02m, 102kg
* Tests: 13
* Debut: v Ireland at New Plymouth, June 12, 2010
* Test tries: 3
* Canterbury caps: 18
* Crusader caps: 21
Those who know Sam Whitelock say he has some mongrel in his makeup. Photo / Getty Images
