The Whitelock Brothers – Sam, George, Adam and Luke
The headliner of the Whitelock family’s four brothers is undoubtedly Sam. The most capped All Black of all-time, Sam Whitelock has a staggering 143 caps for his country. The lock is also amongst a select group of just 20 rugby players, to have won the Rugby World Cup twice (2011 and 2015).
The Crusaders captain is set to depart Super Rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he will attempt to get his hands on the Web Ellis trophy for a record third time. French club Pau have secured the services of Whitelock following the 2023 RWC, with the 34-year-old ending his Super Rugby career, which saw him win the league on four occasions.
This will be the second time that Whitelock bid farewell to his beloved Crusaders, as he took a year’s sabbatical to Japan in 2020, to join up with the Panasonic Wild Knights. Sam’s older brother George Whitelock is a one-time capped All Black, making an appearance in the back-row in 2009. George Whitelock had a decorated career with the Crusaders and Canterbury, representing both sides from 2008 to 2014.
Adam Whitelock has also since retired, and is the only back-line player in the Whitelock brothers. The versatile back was best suited to the wing, but also starred in the number 15 jersey. He too had a long career with the Crusaders in Super Rugby, and provincially at Canterbury.
Adam Whitelock never made a test match appearance for the All Blacks, but he did break onto the international circuit as part of the New Zealand Sevens side. The flying winger enjoyed a globe-trotting career, heading to France with Bayonne, and later to Japan with the Wild Knights.
Youngest brother Luke Whitelock is now 32-years-old, and like his brothers, spent the majority of his career with the Crusaders and Canterbury. The Whitelock name is synonymous with the Christchurch teams, seeing all four different brothers all wear the famous red shirts. Luke later switched Super Rugby allegiances, after moving to the Highlanders in 2016. The back-rower has lately been playing for Pau in the Top 14, and is set for a reunion with his brother Sam after the Rugby World Cup.