Sam Whitelock ahead of his debut for the All Blacks in 2010. Photosport
Sam Whitelock ahead of his debut for the All Blacks in 2010. Photosport
All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is set to play his 100th test for New Zealand when he takes the field in Sydney on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old will be the eighth All Black to crack 100 tests after being named in the starting line-up for the Rugby Championship opener.
Itwill be his 25th test against Australia and his seventh in Sydney.
Richie McCaw became the first All Black to reach the 100-test achievement, playing his 100th against France in a pool match at the 2011 World Cup. At the time he was the 19th player in world rugby to reach the milestone, Mils Muliaina did it two weeks later against Argentina.
Frenchman Philippe Sella became the first player to reach the 100-test milestone in 1994 against the All Blacks, a shocking 22-8 victory at Lancaster Park.
Since then 52 players have played 100 or more tests.
The next All Black on the list? Owen Franks will play his 99th test on Saturday and will likely crack the 100 next week at Eden Park. Aaron Smith is the next most capped player in the squad, bringing up his 75th this weekend.
The All Blacks century-makers
Richie McCaw
Played: 148 tests Started: 141 Tests off the bench: 7 Won: 131 Lost: 15 Drawn: 2 100th test: Sep 24, 2011 - All Blacks 37 France 17, Eden Park (RWC pool game) Since debut: All Blacks played 185 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests he's played in since debut:80% Days between debut and 100th: 3598
Richie McCaw after he received his 100th test cap in 2011. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Mils Muliaina
Played: 100 Started: 95 Tests off the bench: 5 Won: 84 Lost: 16 100th test: Oct 9, 2011 - All Blacks 33 Argentina 10, Eden Park (RWC quarter-final) Since debut: All Blacks played 115 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 87% Days between debut and 100th: 3040
Mils Muliaina, with the late Jock Hobbs, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Keven Mealamu
Played: 132 Started: 77 Tests off the bench: 55 Won: 114 Lost: 16 Drawn: 2 100th test: Oct 20, 2012 - All Blacks 18 Australia 18, Brisbane Since debut: All Blacks have played 172 tests Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 77% Days between debut and 100th: 3619
Keven Mealamu receives his 100th test cap from captain Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty
Tony Woodcock
Played:118 Started: 105 Tests off the bench: 13 Won: 102 Lost: 15 Drawn: 1 100th test: Aug 24, 2013 - All Blacks 27 Australia 16, Wellington Since debut: All Blacks have played 168 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 69.8% Days between debut and 100th: 3928
Tony Woodcock, wearing his silver cap, with his daughter Ella, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Dan Carter
Played: 112 Started: 106 Tests off the bench: 6 Won: 99 Lost: 12 Drawn: 1 100th test: Nov 16, 2013 - All Blacks 30 England 22, Twickenham Since debut: All Blacks have played: 170 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 65.8% Days between debut and 100th: 3802 days.
Dan Carter celebrates with his father Neville after playing his 100th test. Photo /Getty
Ma'a Nonu
Played: 103 Started: 87 Tests off the bench: 16 Won: 91 Lost: 10 Drawn: 2 100th test: Oct 11, 2015 - All Blacks 47 Tonga 9, Newcastle Since debut: All Blacks played 170 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 60% Days between debut and 100th: 4502.
Ma'a Nonu celebrates after reaching the 100 test milestone at the Rugby World Cup.
Kieran Read
Played: 109 Started: 102 Tests off the bench: 7 Won: 94 Lost: 12 Drawn: 3 100th test: July 8, 2017 - All Blacks 15 Lions 15, Eden Park Since debut: All Blacks played 115 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 86% Days between debut and 100th: 3164.
Kieran Read reacts and his baby son Reuben starts to cry after receiving his 100th cap. Photosport
Sam Whitelock
Played: 99 Started: 81 Tests off the bench: 18 Won: 88 Lost: 8 Drawn: 3 100th test: August 18 v Wallabies, Sydney Since debut: All Blacks played 123 Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 80.4% Days between debut and 100th: 2989
