'Sport can be pretty cruel': Whitelock signs off on immense All Blacks career

Sam Whitelock finishes his All Blacks career as the nation's most-capped player, a two-time world champion as well as both a Rugby World Cup silver and bronze medalist among a myriad of other accolades.

The lock's legacy is second to none, but his storied international career didn't finish on the high note he hoped it would have in the weekend's Rugby World Cup final.

Falling to an agonising one-point loss to serial rivals South Africa, the All Blacks farewelled Whitelock, along with several other legends on an emotional night in Paris.

Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala and Aaron Smith all join Whitelock in departing the famous black jersey while a number of other stars have sabbaticals or overseas contracts with the potential of a return within the coming years still on the table.

“The boys have been great, they’re getting around everyone and making sure everyone is supported in there," Whitelock said on the pain of defeat after the final. "Sport can be pretty cruel.”

The loss caps a trying four-year period for the All Blacks, the team incurred record losses but also retained The Rugby Championship each year in its different formats.

Whitelock commended his team's growth throughout the tournament and praised the belief shown given the challenges of the World Cup cycle.

“You always have to have faith. We had seen parts of it over the last couple of years when we have put it together for periods but I felt we took a couple of big steps in this tournament.

"We didn’t get the job done against France early on but there were parts we were really proud of. We took that confidence moving forward and that allowed us to expand and play our game. Tonight we really didn’t get in our flow.”

It will be France where Whitelock will take the field next, joining his brother Luke at Pau after an historic career with the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

“It’s a bit weird. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I am still here with the team and speaking English. It will be completely different when we get back but that is still a month or so away. I’m just dealing with this at the moment.”

The 35-year-old is a man of few words, often saying he expects it won't be until later on in life when he's reflecting on stories, relationships and his career as a whole that the emotions over his journey truly sink in.

“Every jersey is special. It’s an absolute privilege to play for your country and it doesn’t matter who you are playing against. It’s special playing in a World Cup final.”