Sam Whitelock targets return to action in New Zealand after pandemic ends Japan stint
Wednesday 22 April 2020 07:23, UK
All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock hopes to return to rugby in New Zealand this year after the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to his stint in Japan's Top League.
The lock, who has played 115 Tests, had planned to miss the Super Rugby season while completing a short-term contract with Robbie Deans's Panasonic Wild Knights but has returned home after Japan's domestic competition was cancelled last month.
Super Rugby, along with all competitions in New Zealand, has been suspended as part of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, but if action resumes Whitelock hopes to play for Scott Robertson's Crusaders or the Canterbury provincial side.
"We are pretty gutted the Japan competition has been cancelled, we understand, but we were sitting pretty well on the table," the 31-year-old told Sky New Zealand.
"But we are back in New Zealand at the moment and we will make our way back to Christchurch once we are allowed to travel a bit further.
"We will head back there and hopefully meet back up with the Crusaders or Canterbury, whatever competition kicks off first."
As a board member of New Zealand's players' union, Whitelock has been heavily involved in scenario planning with governing body New Zealand Rugby and local teams as to how a restart of the season might unfold.
The All Blacks international season is scheduled to start in July with two tests against Wales and one against Scotland but the matches are in doubt due to travel restrictions and border controls to contain the coronavirus.
"There are a number of calendars out there that we are debating," Whitelock added. "As players, we just have to be ready to go when we do get the information from the government saying we can get into it at this level."
One of the proposals that has been floated is a North Island versus South Island match, a once regular annual fixture in New Zealand until the mid-1980s.
"For me personally, I've never played a North vs South match and I've heard a few great stories about how it used to be the grudge match of the year," said Whitelock.
"We are looking at that and All Blacks trials if we can't travel internationally."
