Wynne Gray: Curse of Ross hangs over Whitelock

Another lock is put in cotton wool after a promising introduction to All Black rugby. Photo / Getty Images

The decision to slap Sam Whitelock in sporting handcuffs until the start of the All Blacks' end-of-year tour is baffling.

That is presuming the big lock makes the cut for the tour, and has not been hit with one of the mysterious retraining orders that was placed on Isaac Ross.

There has been no hint of retraining, so we can only guess at why Whitelock is one of 10 All Blacks protected from playing rugby until the October 30 match against the Wallabies in Hong Kong that starts the tour. Whitelock is only 21, which is very young for a tight forward, and he has been nurtured carefully throughout this season. His workload has not been huge.

When he did get a brief chance to play two ITM Cup games for Canterbury, he played strongly, but also looked rusty and short of matchplay.

So what is the benefit of another lengthy interval before the tour? Perhaps he is seen only as a bench player for that trip.

Now, if he is picked for the All Blacks next test, he will have a seven-week break from rugby.

A fortnight's rest is taken up by the mandatory leave arrangement in the players' collective agreement.

Fair enough, but what's wrong with the test apprentice strapping his boots on for some work before the All Black tour?

It will take all the experience of others such as Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino to be in sync for the tour after a similar break.

A look at Whitelock's playing schedule this season gives no hint that he has been over-worked.

He played six full matches in the Super 14 for the Crusaders.

Whitelock also ticked over 161 minutes in three other starts before he was benched, and 90 minutes in five appearances as a substitute.

His eight All Black test appearances have all been from the bench, with a combined tally of 169 minutes in the black jersey. Good learning curve, including a yellow card.

Wedged between those commitments, Whitelock played two provincial matches, the only full games of footy he has played since the Crusaders' semifinal in late May.

His total playing time is 1060 rugby minutes this season since the official February 12 start.

Since then, 31 weeks have elapsed and Whitelock has played the equivalent of just over 13 games.

Now he is on provincial leave. Go figure.