Sam Whitelock receives special message from Richie McCaw after breaking All Blacks record
Richie McCaw lifting the Webb Ellis Cup alongside Dan Carter and Sam Whitelock in 2015.
New Zealand legend Richie McCaw took to social media to praise Sam Whitelock for surpassing his Test appearance record.
Whitelock came onto the field in the second half during the All Blacks’ dominant victory over Italy on Friday to earn his 149th cap, overtaking McCaw.
The lock duly became the country’s most capped player and now sits in second place in the overall standings, just behind Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones, who finished on 170 before retiring earlier this year.
Perfect end to a special day
It was a special day for Whitelock as he overtook one of New Zealand’s greatest ever sportsmen and helped his team to a 96-17 triumph over the Azzurri in their latest Rugby World Cup pool match.
“A massive congrats @samuelwhitelock on becoming the most capped All Black,” McCaw wrote on Facebook.
“It takes huge amounts of drive and perseverance along with a relentless consistency to play as many games as you have.”
Whitelock made his All Blacks debut in 2010 and quickly become a key part of the squad, becoming a regular starter ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
The lock then played a key role in helping New Zealand to end 24 years of hurt as they claimed the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987.
And when Brodie Retallick came along in 2012, those two would become one of the sport’s greatest second-row partnerships.
Retallick and Whitelock would start together at the next global tournament as the Kiwis became the first side to retain the world title.
Although they failed to repeat that feat in 2019, the 34-year-old has continued to be a crucial member of the squad.
He has a few more games to add to his tally before likely ending his international career after the 2023 World Cup when the lock moves to Top 14 club Pau.
“Really special”
“Yeah really special on a personal level. Had some really cool moments this week, some guys who said some awesome things – some videos, some calls, some texts,” Whitelock said.
“I haven’t read all of them but I’ve read a few of them and they’ve been pretty awesome just being able to stop and slow down and actually enjoy some of those messages.
“I saw Brad Thorn a couple of weeks ago and he sent a couple. He was there at the start for me and he really set me up to be successful. He used to tell Owen Franks and myself before we’d even played a Test match that we’d play 100.
“Really cool to connect with him and see his lovely family and just reminisce about some of the stuff that we used to get up to in the first couple of years.”
