Sam Whitelock back for one last crusade?

Sam Whitelock and Scott Robertson.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Sam Whitelock has been named to start for the Crusaders in Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Chiefs, his final appearance for the side, though there’s a chance he might not play.

All Blacks lock Whitelock, who has 143 test caps and has played 177 games for the Crusaders, is heading to French club Pau after this year’s World Cup.

Coach Scott Robertson concedes Whitelock’s achilles injury could still force him out of the final.

“We’re giving him day to do. So, we’ll take it right to the warm up (before the final) for him. He’s trained extremely well, done everything all week and it’s looking positive.

“He’s great today, we’ll see how he finishes up after training. Everything is strong, everything is good. But, we’re mindful and prepared that he could not be there. We’ll give him every opportunity and it’s Sam’s call in the end.”

This weekend’s final in Hamilton is also the last game for Robertson and All Blacks first-five Richie Mo’unga with the defending champions, with the former moving on to coach the All Blacks and the latter taking his talents to Japan.

Robertson has made just the one change to the starting XV from the side that crushed the Blues in last week’s semi-final in Christchurch, with Whitelock starting at lock in place of Quinten Strange.

For the third week in a row, the front row remains unchanged, with new All Black Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor and Oliver Jager anchoring the scrum. .

Captain Scott Barrett leads the pack from lock alongside Whitelock, Sioni Talitui, Tom Christie, and Christian Lio-Willie.

Departing playmaker and Crusaders centurion Mo’unga starts at No.10 once again, with Mitchell Drummond at halfback.

Another departing New Zealand the end of 2023 is All Blacks back Leicester Fainga’anuku who will play on the wing in his last game for the Crusaders.

Former All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue is at second-five with current All Black Braydon Ennor at centre.

Dallas McLeod, another debutant in the recently named All Blacks squad, is on the right wing, with All Black Will Jordan at fullback.

The bench consists of George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O’Neill, Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke and Chay Fihaki.