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'It's never just one person': Whitelock says players take responsibility for the All Blacks results

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The All Blacks most capped current player has implied his support for head coach Ian Foster, although the sentiments he shared were not as direct the reimbursement given by fellow All Black leaders Ardie Savea and Sam Cane.

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Following a much improved performance in Johannesburg, Sam Whitelock expressed relief and satisfaction at the result and the progress of his team.

When questioned on how he might contribute to NZR’s review of the performances under current coaching, Whitelock replied: “We’re always looking to get better.”

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“That’s always been the focus, and it will always be. I think if we ever lose sight of that then it’ll be a slippery slope.”

Emphasizing that progressive mentality extends beyond the playing group, Whitelock added that every single All Blacks squad member has the same responsibility.

“And that’s right across the board, so it doesn’t matter what role you have in this environment, you’re always looking to get better,” he said.

“That’s the same if you’re a head coach or Fletcher Newell being the latest All Black.”

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The players have been quick to share accountability when asked about the pressure their head coach is facing, which Whitelock again reiterated.

“It’s actually on all of us, it’s never just one person,” he said.

The big lock put in a performance that “wound back the clock” according to ex-Crusaders teammate Bryn Hall, who along with ex-Blues hooker and fellow Aotearoa Rugby Pod host James Parsons, awarded the All Blacks centurion player of the round.

While commending his performance, Hall reported how Whitelock had been assisting captain Sam Cane with the leadership duties over a rough couple of weeks for the squad.

“I guess being able to do that, in a leadership sense, to then put in the performance he did on the weekend,” Hall said.

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Leading by example is an impressive feat for the 33 year old veteran, who’s workrate remains immense despite often being the oldest on the pitch.

The legacy of New Zealand’s most capped lock continues to grow as a result.

“You look at great All Blacks and the legendary status… It’s in those kind of test matches where you put your name up against that,” he said.

“He was that, and everything on the weekend, influencing the game in so many parts.”

Whether or not Sam Whitelock’s continued excellence has helped retain his head coach’s position is yet to be seen.

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Easy_Duzz-it 22 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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