The most selected player in the history of the All Blacks (153 selections), Sam Whitelock announced on Tuesday that he will end his career in June.
After the last World Cup (which New Zealand lost by one point to South Africa, 12-11), Whitelock returned to the Top 14 in December and signed a contract with French side Pau until June 2025 (season 2024-2025 being optional).
In a statement issued by the French club, he explained: “I have made the decision to end my career in June next year. I have two obsessions today: to finish the season with Pau at the best level and not to have a year in plus. I’m lucky enough to be able to decide to end my career and I want it to end well.”
For their part, the All Blacks also paid tribute to their most capped player (he surpassed Richie McCaw’s record of 148 caps at the last World Cup), double world champion in 2011 and 2015: “Thank you for everything what you have contributed to this sport over the years, enjoy your retirement,” the All Blacks noted on X.
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