Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Highlanders announce new co-captain for 2019 Super Rugby season

Luke Whitelock. Photo / Getty Images.

The Highlanders have named Luke Whitelock as their new co-captain for the upcoming 2019 Super Rugby season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whitelock’s appointment as co-captain comes as a result of the 28-year-old’s distinguished professional career since debuting for Canterbury in 2011.

He has won an impressive six national titles in eight seasons, three of which he won as captain, while he has also gone on to amass 88 Super Rugby caps since first appearing for the Crusaders in 2012.

38 of those caps were earned while playing for the Highlanders following his transfer from Christchurch to Dunedin in 2016.

Whitelock made his test debut against Japan in 2013, but it wasn’t until a string of impressive Super Rugby and provincial performances four years later saw him return to the national set-up, where he captained the All Blacks against the French XV in just his second international outing.

The No. 8 has since played seven tests, captaining the All Blacks again against Japan last year.

His elevation to co-captain at Super Rugby level adds to his vast leadership experience through all levels of the game, which includes leading the Highlanders to victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

That, along with his reputation as a gritty and punishingly accurate defender, should complement his case for World Cup selection at the end of this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“When I came down here in 2015, I just wanted to fit in and play good rugby, I never expected to be a co-captain,” Whitelock, who joins brother and Crusaders captain Sam as a Super Rugby skipper, said.

“When I think of some of the players who have captained this team in the past like Anton Oliver and Nasi Manu it’s pretty humbling to be given the opportunity.

“Ash and Ben have done a great job over the last few seasons and I hope to carry that on this year.”

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger reserved praise for both of his captains.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Luke and Ben demand selection for us through the consistency of their performances week to week,” he said.

“Both players have a great temperament for the game and provide us leadership on and off the field.

“Having Lukey up front and Bender at the back provides us with a good balance of leadership on the park.”

Whitelock replaces hooker Ash Dixon as co-captain of the squad.

Dixon’s axing from the role is indicative of his ongoing struggle to maintain a starting position in the team, with four-test All Black Liam Coltman often the preferred option at hooker.

Whitelock will get his first chance to lead the side in his new role on Friday night, when the Highlanders open the Super Rugby season against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

Brad Thorn and Samu Kerevi after Chiefs pre-season clash:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

307 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat Despite defeat in Paris, the real reason the All Blacks are feeling upbeat
Search