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All Black legend leaves international game a winner

Sam Whitelock collects his silver medal after the Rugby World Cup final. Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Former All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock has signed off his career in fitting style, leading the Barbarians to a 45-32 win over Fiji in a thrilling clash at Twickenham.

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The 35-year-old forward, twice a World Cup winner with New Zealand, received a rousing round of applause from all corners of the stadium in southwest London as he left the field late on.

Whitelock gave an assured performance at lock alongside England international David Ribbans against a free-flowing Fiji team coach by Australian Mick Byrne.

The impressive Fijians were led by a hat-trick from Epeli Momo, who plays in Super Rugby Pacific with the Drua, but fell short in a breathless encounter.

Former England winger Jonny May scored twice for the Barbarians, whose other tries came from Lachlan Boshier (two), Chay Fihaki, Zach Mercer and New Zealand international Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Also included for the Barbarians were Gold Coast-born Jack Cornelsen – the son of 1970s and 1980s Wallaby Greg Cornelsen – who represents Japan at international level, and former Wallabies prop Scott Sio.

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The star-studded Baa-Baas – coached by ex-Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans – were pushed hard by Fiji, with Momo’s three tries added to by Kemueli Valentini’s 10 points and seven more from five-eighth Caleb Muntz.

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Comments

1 Comment
G
GP 322 days ago

What a way for Crusaders and All Black great Sam Whitelock to bow out. Off the field, a really good man and on it a man who oozes leadership and dominance. I believe our greatest ever lock. Good luck for the next chapter Sam . Sure it will go well.

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Comments on RugbyPass

M
Mainlander 0 minute ago
Chiefs' secret weapon again on show in regular season sweep of Crusaders

I would like someone to publish how many games the Crusaders have won and lost when Ben OKeeffe has been referee in the last 4 years

3 Go to comments
G
GP 1 minute ago
Crusaders v Chiefs takes: Sititi back with a bang, Chiefs justify favourites tag

Todd Blackadder should have played way more tests for the All Blacks. He was dropped by media favourite John Hart in 1998 , the AB’s went on to lose 5 tests in a row. People seem to think great AB’s have to be flashy. The great Colin Meads was never that. He publicly backed Todd Blackadder. Todd Blackadder captained great Crusaders and Canterbury teams and was tough as teak. His son Ethan Blackadder is someone like his father , you would rather go to war with than against. You stick to your Mark Carters, Akira Ioane’s and who ever else you support/or supported.

7 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 5 minutes ago
Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

Any top tier coach with these squads and resources would be questioned even if they had a handful of major trophies.


He's been around close to a decade with heir last big one in 2018. Not a single meaningful trophy in their last 4 seasons is embarrassing.


That those loses have all been single figures and hung on some individual errors, only reflects on him. He can't coach it of them. Not up to it.


Dublin 4 is a closed shop and at this rate they may not even keep Nienaber interested.


Pumping Zebre by 70 does not a season make.

4 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 18 minutes ago
Lions call-up reduced me to a sobbing wreck: Fin Smith

A likeable kid.


The hype machine seems to be centred around a different 20 something.


This is the lad with the complete game.

1 Go to comments
S
SC 20 minutes ago
Chiefs' secret weapon again on show in regular season sweep of Crusaders

I think Simon Parker is very much on the radar of the All Black selectors and is playing better than Samipeni Finau.

3 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 20 minutes ago
'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

More than held his own across two decades in an era that was littered with exceptional flankers.


He would have been hateful to play against, which must be the ultimate compliment.


A one club man and a titan.

1 Go to comments
J
JH 53 minutes ago
Chiefs make championship statement in Christchurch heavyweight bout

Didn’t particularly care who won, but then realized a final at the Crusaders ground would have everyone having to listen to their awful PA who can’t seem to shut up or play his spotify playlist every moment of the game.


Now he graces us with his ‘singing’ too. He should be going before Penney.

11 Go to comments
J
JS 1 hour ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

Ireland actually reminds me a bit of Australia after Larkham retired in 2007. Team was never really able to adjust to losing their most important player, despite the quality that remained. It has been almost 20 years that Australia has been trying to replace Larkham now. Hopefully Ireland doesn’t need to wait as long.

128 Go to comments
T
TM44 2 hours ago
Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

You & I have certainly had a few run ins, but I have to say when you're not involved in personal unpleasantries (takes two to tango I know, but man you take offense so easily) you actually write really good insightful interesting posts. Hopefully more of the latter.!

4 Go to comments
D
DH 2 hours ago
British and Irish Lions squad 2025: 10 losers from Andy Farrell's selection

Mack Hansen is a really good bloke, I'm sure Darcy Graham is a good man too but I think we all know why Hansen is on tour.

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D
DH 2 hours ago
British and Irish Lions squad 2025: 10 losers from Andy Farrell's selection

I was talking about the manager.

13 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 3 hours ago
Jordie Barrett produces man-of-the-match showing after benching drama

Serious mistake omitting Barrett for NH. Serious questions remain why the predictable curve balls available to NH against the rush defense were not mitigated for in advance. Leinster did not get tested for the first two rounds but the test was coming.

Look also at the incorrect decision re taking 3 points after the O’Brien ‘penalty where it lands’. The same conference has been happenning for years with the correct decision not often found.

In the URC v Connaught a kick to the corner refusing ane asy kick lead to a Connacht turnover and yellow for Leinster. Connacht scored a try and attacked again for the match against 14. They created an overlap and the tackle of the match saved them before the overlap could be cashed in. Leinster had another kickable penalty and amazingly the conference started again. Barrett ordered a kick at goal to put it out of reach. He was the man who had also saved/won the match for them with that penalty.


Why was this botched decision making not reviewed and eliminated in that match?

It honestly looks like the leadership hole left by Johnny Sexton has not been filled by the coaching group.

3 Go to comments
B
BA 3 hours ago
An England 23 Borthwick could pick after the Lions squad announcement

If England can beat Pumas over there without their top guns would be big scalp especially if Pumas are at full noise

8 Go to comments
C
Carlos 5 hours ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Felipe and Manuel went to Cardinal Newman school and rugby club, ran by Irish priests. One of them left to found St Brendan’s. Newman, St. George’s and St Andrew’s are the traditional upper class Anglo schools of Buenos Aires. Only Newman now sustains great rugby. St George’s previously did and St Andrew’s was a feeder to many clubs.

In 1970 Ireland toured Argentina and the team visited Hurling Club near the city and left them their kits at the end of the tour. The party was memorable. My mother and three brothers played field hockey for Hurling. Also, some of the players visited St Brendan’s.


Some years ago, I met Barry Bresniham at a rheumatology meeting. Sadly he passed away of a brain tumor. Barry was a very charming man and we spoke about that 1970 visit. St Brendan’s posted a picture of him on the front door of the school.


I do know about the Irish. I sincerely appreciate and enjoy Mzilikazi here, for example. But you sound like the Aussie fan OJ. Angry and defensive. Be like the Irish I know and not like a sourpuss.

200 Go to comments
C
Carlos 5 hours ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

I’m an Argie. We first scrum.

200 Go to comments
D
DC 5 hours ago
Farrell puts his reputation on the line knowing tougher challenges lie ahead

The Lions are a scratch team of players who rarely ever play together. For them to win, they need to be based on the best Home Nation (which still probably Ireland) with a smattering of players from the other nations.


Bare in mind that in 2001 they played the world champions. 2005 they played the greatest NZ team in the history of the All Blacks. 2009 and 2021 SA were the world champions. And NZ were the world champions in 2017. The only series the Lions have won in recent years was against Australia, who were significantly weaker than the other SH teams.

11 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 6 hours ago
Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

Hard to test them when they’re rested the week before or left on the bench, don’t you think?

4 Go to comments
J
JD 7 hours ago
Marcus Smith backed to beat rivals to Lions Test jersey

They are, except when it comes to 10.


Assuming Russell starts as test 10 you have no back up on the pitch. The only option is Kinghorn, but he would need to fill in there during warm up matches which is unlikely.


Only option is Smith in the 23 shirt. This again assumes Kinghorn starting 15. Based on current form that is the case.


Personally I prefer the conventional 5:3 split for the most part.

8 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 7 hours ago
Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

The point is the ‘Team are not pushing forward’. The team are better in absolute terms but the tactical coaching is poor. If Leinster are not being challenged and weaknesses exposed in matches then that has to be done in the training ground.

That said individual players must take flak. A lot of ire was directed at Snyman, but McCarthy must take flak too. That said what on earth was Keenan doing attempting to rush against Freeman (first try) and Ramm last try. Both times he was caught in no mans land leaving a field of green behind him. For the first try he just needs to hold his ground a little to cover the kick. An overlap was not on. Keenan would have easily reached Freeman, but rishing up made the grubber 100% on.

The Ramm one was equally bizarre. Now NH had caught Leinster short, but they have alot of work to do if Keenan holds his ground. Again he rushed up meaning one pass to Ramm makes the try.

Some players can be rested for 3 weeks, some get rusty. Keenan is one of the latter. But he must do better. All Leinster needed was one of those tries to be averted. Just one.

4 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 7 hours ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

Cant say I’ve seen it personally but more than happy to take Simmons reliable word for it! 🤣

128 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Farrell puts his reputation on the line knowing tougher challenges lie ahead Farrell puts his reputation on the line knowing tougher challenges lie ahead
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