New Zealand Second-Rower Faces New Challenge in Pau…

New Zealand Second-Rower Faces  New Challenge in Pau…

New Zealand Second-Rower Sam Whitelock expressed his hope to find a positive aspect in the defeat in last month’s Rugby World Cup final after his arrival at Pau in the Top 14 for a two-year contract.

Whitelock played his final match, the 153rd test match, a record for the All Blacks, in the narrow one-point loss (11-12) against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on October 28. He fell short of becoming the first player to win the tournament three times, having secured the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2011 and 2015.

“I don’t think a player who comes so close to the goal ever fully recovers, but one must learn that the course of history cannot be changed,” lamented Whitelock in front of journalists during his introduction in Pau.

“I hope I can take what I’ve experienced and use it to my advantage at certain moments,” added the former Crusaders second-row.

Choosing France for Personal Reasons As is often the case after a World Cup, many All Blacks players have opted to leave New Zealand for lucrative contracts abroad. The majority, including captain Sam Cane, World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea, and fly-halves Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga, have signed contracts in Japan.

Only Whitelock, 35, winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, and prop Nepo Laulala have chosen to join France and its demanding ten-month season.

“It’s a different way of life coming to France,” explained the bearded Whitelock, who relocated with his wife and three children. “We’ve gone from one winter to another; we’ll try to find warmth at some point. I look forward to experiencing different things,” added the former Panasonic Wild Knights second-row.

In France, Whitelock will have his brother and former All Black (7 caps between 2013 and 2018), Luke Whitelock, as captain, who will turn 33 in January and has been with Pau since 2019.

“My younger brother Luke has been planting seeds, dropping hints, for three or four years,” revealed Sam Whitelock. “Family members wondered if I would listen if he told me what to do. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s true…”

The elder Whitelock joins a Pau team currently second in the Top 14, having faced the threat of relegation since their most recent promotion in 2016. Pau’s last French championship title dates back to 1964, nearly sixty years ago.

With Sébastien Piqueronies as manager, Whitelock is not expected to make his debut before at least the Challenge Cup match on December 16 against the Welsh Dragons.

“The club is in great shape, which only adds to the pressure,” confessed Whitelock, standing at 2.02 meters. “I have to come here and perform. I need to contribute to the momentum that has been set in motion.”