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Sam Whitelock's sabbatical ensures the fire keeps burning
By Online Editors
By Patrtick McKendry, NZ Herald
If Sam Whitelock had not been granted a sabbatical clause in his New Zealand Rugby contract, the last we would have seen of him in this country would have been him holding the Super Rugby trophy aloft on a cold and dewy Christchurch mid-winter night.
The other image which would have lingered was his typically athletic and accurate piece of attacking play which led directly to Codie Taylor's try in the 19-3 grand final victory over the Jaguares.
If New Zealand Rugby hadn't agreed the rest clause in his new four-year deal earlier in the year, Whitelock was off. His body was near exhaustion but mentally he was probably even more tired.
Nearly everyone will agree that would have been a huge shame because the lock has set a new standard of discipline and leadership even at the Crusaders, who celebrated their 10th title and third in a row last Saturday.
Six years ago, Whitelock was momentarily dropped from the All Blacks for being "one-paced", a rebuke which must have stung and which he quickly set about fixing, and here, in setting up the only try of the final, was more proof.
That he could maintain that pace and fire despite year after year of collisions at the top level says much about his work ethic and character, but something had to give. Next year he will play for Japanese club Panasonic, rather than the Crusaders, but will return to the All Blacks in 2020 and most probably as Kieran Read's successor as captain. Whitelock will next wear the red and black in 2021.
"We'll miss him. I'll miss him. I love my Whitelocks," was Crusaders coach Scott Robertson's succinct reply when asked about the impending departure of his inspirational leader.
"New Zealand Rugby are doing a great thing in giving him an opportunity to freshen up. He's been on the grind for a long time, from Crusaders to All Blacks – he's played 108 tests and 130-odd Crusaders games.
"It's a chance for him to refresh and come back, and that's the important thing - he's coming back. I think what he can be most proud of is his leadership and ability to prepare and get someone else to take over… he's shares his responsibility well."
Whitelock has always been a special talent. In 2009, a year before he made the All Blacks, none other than locking legend Brad Thorn told Whitelock he would wear the black jersey, but few could have imagined the impression on the game at the top level.
A big part of his success was in Robertson's decision to hand Whitelock the Crusaders captaincy in 2016 because, rather than hinder, it helped take him to a new level. It also revealed that Whitelock possesses an excellent rugby brain; the innate knowledge of when to attack via a lineout drive or go for goal, and his instincts are usually right.
Against the Jaguares, Richie Mo'unga kicked four penalties from four attempts – the first-five didn't miss a kick at goal during the playoffs (17 from 17) – and the trickle of points served to turn up the pressure on the opposition. Against the Jaguares it knocked the stuffing out of them.
Read, who has played his final game for the Crusaders and will finish with the All Blacks after the World Cup, believes the success will continue despite many departures; Owen Franks, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua and Ryan Crotty are also leaving.
"It's well set up," Read said. "It's the work ethic we present, it's [enjoying] our mates when we turn up and that's what the Crusaders will always be about. The guys coming back are in a good position. They'll take this thing forward, they won't sit on their laurels. I can see it getting better."
Mo'unga said: "We have a duty to carry on and that's what is special about this group. For the boys coming back… the dynasty doesn't finish here, the challenge for us is to keep it going."
For assistant coach Ronan O'Gara, who is leaving for France, the retention of head coach Scott Robertson is the key.
"My old mindset would have been about all the players we are going to miss next season, but his approach is 'next man up'," O'Gara wrote in the Irish Examiner.
"It isn't so much a glass half-full attitude as a glass full all the time. Nobody in the Crusaders looks for an excuse."
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission
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Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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