Sam Whitelock

Samuel Lawrence Whitelock (born 12 October 1988) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. Whitelock played 153 tests for New Zealand between 2010 and 2023, and is the youngest New Zealander to reach 100 tests. He is the fastest player ever to reach 100 international appearances, achieving the feat eight years and two months after his test debut. Whitelock was the winner of New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year in 2017. He formed a renowned locking combination with Brodie Retallick; Whitelock and Retallick played 50 tests together. He was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning teams, becoming one of only 43 players who have won the men's Rugby World Cup more than once. Whitelock played for Canterbury, the Crusaders, Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, and retired from rugby after playing for French club Pau in 2024.