Sam Whitelock retirement: Defining matches of All Blacks’ most-capped player

As the curtain closes on one of the great rugby careers, Sam Whitelock hangs up his boots as not only the most-capped All Black with 153 games, but one of the most memorable for his efforts on the pitch. Here are the defining performances of his All Blacks career.

June 12, 2010 v Ireland (debut)

Sam Whitelock scores the first of his two tries on debut against Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

Whitelock made his All Blacks debut in 2010 in the mid-year series against Ireland, coming off the bench to replace Brad Thorn. He had a debut to remember, scoring two tries as the All Blacks crushed Ireland, winning 66-28. Whitelock was into the action immediately, packing down for his first scrum and then scoring his first try in the same play.

October 23, 2011 v France (Rugby World Cup final)

Owen Franks, Samuel Whitelock and Conrad Smith following the All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup win. Photo / Photosport

Despite being a relative relative newcomer – having played just five tests prior to the World Cup – Whitelock played all seven games in 2011 and was selected for the final. He won his two lineout throws and crucially stole a throw off France.

October 6, 2012 v South Africa

Sam Whitelock reaches out to score against South Africa in 2012. Photo / Getty Images

The big lock delivered a stellar ball-handling performance in the All Blacks’ first rugby championship as world champions. Whitelock helped set up Israel Dagg’s opening try with a lovely offload to Kieran Reid out of the back of his hand, then scored one of his own as New Zealand made a perfect start to the rugby championship.

November 16, 2013 v England

Sam Whitelock after having had his jersey pulled over his head v England. Photo / Photosport

Whitelock showed why he accrued 50 test caps in just four years by leading the tackle count for the All Blacks. He made 19 tackles and five assists, missing just one. He was also second equal with Wyatt Crockett for being in the first three players to the breakdown, with 17 arrivals. In a match where the All Blacks had a lineout success of 100 per cent, Whitelock was the All Blacks’ top jumper with four takes.

October 24, 2015 v South Africa (Rugby World Cup semifinal)

Sam Whitelock and All Blacks teammates thank the crowd following their Rugby World Cup 2015 semifinal win over South Africa. Photo / Photosport

One of the All Blacks’ most famous wins. A “critical” Whitelock lineout steal off Springbok jumper Victor Matfield with eight minutes to go was one of the key moments. Whitelock notched up a record 13th-consecutive World Cup game.

November 1, 2015 (Rugby World Cup final)

Sam Whitelock drinks from the Webb Ellis Cup after the Rugby World Cup final in 2015. Photo / Getty Images

Started brilliantly in the air, receiving and chasing kickoffs. Lots of wonderful tackling from a man who found form at the right time, complementing Brodie Retallick’s more brutal game. It is typical of Whitelock to perform in the big moments and his efforts on defence were a large part of how the All Blacks secured their second-consecutive Rugby World Cup crown.

November 21, 2016 v France

Whitelock secures lineout ball against France. Photo / Getty Images

Whitelock was one of the best performing players in the final test of 2016, which was a 24-19 scare from France, with the All Blacks going on to win 13 of their 14 tests that year. A particularly heavy collision he was involved in left French opposite lock Yoann Maestri unable to continue the match.

November 26, 2017 v Wales (first test as captain)

Whitelock on the charge in Cardiff, 2017. Photo / Getty Images

Sam Whitelock was bestowed with one of New Zealand rugby’s highest honours as he was named to captain the side in place of injured captain Kieran Read against Wales. It was a mixed bag individually for Whitelock, who made a number of huge and crucial tackles but was harshly yellow-carded by Wayne Barnes when he appeared to have entered the ruck legally and stayed on his feet.

August 18, 2018 v Australia (100th test)

Sam Whitelock receives his 100th test cap from Kieran Read. Photo / Photosport

Whitelock became the eighth New Zealander capped for the All Blacks 100 times in the 2018 rugby championship opener against the Wallabies in Sydney. A 38-13 demolishing of Australia was lead by Whitelock and his locking partner Retallick – a near faultless display that laid the platform for the All Blacks to win the championship for the sixth time.

Whitelock was among an elite playing group during that time, saying after the match: “I’m sure there are a lot of boys in the changing room that will become part of that club as well, and I know a lot them are striving towards getting that 100th test match. It’s pretty cool to say now I’ve done it.”

November 20, 2022 v England (record locking appearances with Brodie Retallick)

Sam Whitelock leads the Haka against England at Twickenham. Photo / Getty Images

At Twickenham, Whitelock with Brodie Retallick created a world record locking combination of 64 tests together. The result was one to forget for New Zealand, as England produced a stunning comeback to score three tries in the final nine minutes and turn a gripping Twickenham contest the All Blacks had sewn up.

August 5, 2023 v Australia (final test in New Zealand)

Sam Whitlock embarks on some of his characteristically bruising work in his final home test against the Wallabies. Photo / Photosport

In the words of the Herald’s Christopher Reive: “He worked tirelessly throughout the contest in a massive 80-minute shift.” You could say this about almost all of Sam Whitelock’s 148 tests – adjectives like “tireless” and “massive” are synonymous with the big lock’s performances across his career.

It was therefore only fitting that his last test on New Zealand grass was performed in traditional Whitelock fashion. A try-saving tackle and a number of crucial turnovers were highlighted in Gregor Paul’s assessment: “He was unflappable and unmovable, espousing reassurances to his younger teammates that were clear and simple, while also pulling off several game-changing plays.”

October 15, 2023 v Ireland (Rugby World Cup quarter-final)

Whitelock and Aaron Smith as the final whistle blows against Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks led Ireland 28-24 with time up on the clock. Defending a relentless onslaught from the Irish the men in black were forced to defend ferociously. After 37 phases, Whitelock threw his body over the ball and earned the match-winning penalty – securing victory for the New Zealand in one of the greatest Rugby World Cup matches ever played.

It was a moment that characterised Whitelock’s career. For all the skill he possessed there was always a willingness to put his body into the line of fire and sacrifice personal pain for his team’s gain.