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Hurricanes share hilarious praise and pain of playing Sam Whitelock

Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

After 350 first-class rugby appearances, Sam Whitelock has left his mark on a fair few athletes, both local and international. His demeanour always remains composed and thoughtful, but that doesn’t stop the lock from getting under his opponent’s skin.

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Hurricanes flanker Duplessis Kirifi was full of praise for the 143-cap veteran in an interview with former Highlanders lock Joey Wheeler this week, but also revealed what it’s like to face off against the Crusaders legend.

Wheeler asked which player Kirifi would like to see join him in a Hurricanes jersey, and after some thought, Kirifi arrived at an answer.

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“We’ve always had a lot of flair,” he told Wheeler for Sky Sport. “A little bit of razzle dazzle, so maybe like a real – not sure what position – but like a big, hard-working, head down, bum up forward. Yeah, like a Sam Whitelock.”

Wheeler went on to reflect on his time playing against Whitelock and clearly had some unresolved frustration towards the two-time world champion: “He used to always pull my headgear down over my eyes” he laughed.

Kirifi’s experience playing against the Crusaders proved Whitelock’s gamesmanship persists today, laughing about how the lock gets away with it and always keeps it within the 80 minutes.

“Niggly person to play against,” Kirifi grinned. “People don’t know, he’s an undercover grub and then he walks up to you after the game and he’s like ‘great game brother’ and you’re like ‘I’m going to get you next time’.”

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Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua also answered the initial question of who he’d like to play alongside, offering a more straightforward answer: “Karl Tuinukuafe; he just loves his food, so do I.”

Both Kirifi and Aumua have spent time in the All Blacks camp, both have a number of more experienced players ahead of them in the pecking order of their respective positions. But, with Scott Robertson assuming the reigns in 2024, a fresh opportunity at selection for the next era of All Blacks rugby is on the horizon.

“This is an offside question bro!” Kirifi laughed when quizzed on his chances at cracking the national setup in 2024.

“It’s well above my pay grade, but I hope he does well for New Zealand because they represent all of us at the end of the day.”

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Hellhound 36 minutes ago
Andy Farrell's plea to Lions fans over son Owen

Correction, was a great player, now not so much. As for his dad being the best coach in WR? Now that is the biggest joke ever. Never won a WC. Hello he couldn't even get the so called “Best Irish team ever” over the quarter final line. He won a couple of 6N, which is a joke as their only competition is 5 other teams, 2 of which is weak teams, and 2 average teams. Yeah they had a few upsets over the years and even been ranked 1 for a couple of years. Won a series against the AB's in NZ when they were at their weakest, drew in SA. That is their big claim of Fame of being the best in the world. The team Farrel coached to so many successful victories wasn't even recruited by him. They were discovered by Joe Schmidt, a NZ coach. The same Joe set up a well structured Irish system that is pumping out some very good players, not Farrel. Farrel is a huff and a puff. There is no coach currently that even comes close to Rassie. Not even one. No one in the world of rugby questions that except loyal fans for their countries who prefers donkey blinders and lies to seeing and hearing the truth. This had nothing to do with choosing the best player deserving their spot in the team. It's daddy providing for his little boy again. It's disgusting and he only tarnished both their names and achievements with this choice. They won't be remembered for what they have accomplished, but for this scandal. It's like Sandpaper Gate again. Whenever someone talks about the Australian cricket team, that's the first thought that pops up and jokes made about them.

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Hellhound 57 minutes ago
Who is telling the truth about France's tour of New Zealand?

There is too much hoo haw made about this. It's simple. This time of year they can not send their best players? Fine. Then every world cup should be adjusted to the same. The French can't use their best players in a WC as the French clubs don't allow their players to play international games. Always the same excuses with minutes played etc etc etc but no trying to change all of that. Why should World Rugby and all other countries have to take this kind of disrespect? There is over 100 countries part of world rugby, yet only the French do this. Let club rugby have them and cancel their international licence to compete against other countries. If you are part of the French clubs scene, you do not qualify to play for your country. Remove them from the 6N and add another team like SA or Georgia (who really deserves the step up). They have isolated themselves already so why not freeze them out? Do that, and you will see changes ringing in a new era for French rugby, because no matter how strong their system is, how much money they have, not being part of WR will make them lose a lot of sponsorships and TV deals. They will become irrelevant everywhere but France. Other international players will leave France in droves because they would still want to play for their countries and there is other leagues they can go and play. Maybe not as well paid, but with a country not recognised the money wont be flowing in anymore. The owners are rich enough to keep it going for awhile, but the salaries would get much smaller, budgets tightened etc etc etc

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