All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock has swapped rugby for a very different job since retiring from the sport.
The former New Zealand lock won two Rugby World Cups during his remarkable career.
He helped the All Blacks win the trophy in 2011 and 2015.
Whitelock also reached the 2023 final, where New Zealand lost a close match to South Africa.
He retired in 2024 after winning 153 Test caps for his country.
But the rugby legend has not been putting his feet up.
Instead, he has returned to his roots and taken on a new full-time job.
Sam Whitelock's new life after rugby
Whitelock now works on his family's dairy farm in New Zealand.
And there is plenty to keep him busy.
The farm has around 1,500 cows and is located near Palmerston North.
Speaking to Dairy News in October 2026, Whitelock shared details of his new life.
His family has run the farm for generations.
His daily jobs include cleaning milking sheds, looking after the land and helping during calving season.
He also spends time collecting and caring for young calves.
It's a huge change from playing in front of 80,000 fans at a Rugby World Cup final.
But for Whitelock, life on the farm is nothing new.
Whitelock admitted he is still learning the ropes, despite growing up around farming.
He said: "Having just returned, I am pretty much the dog's body at the moment, learning the systems from staff who have been here a while.
"In rugby I was the senior guy helping upskill others, whereas here I am on the learning side of things, which I am really enjoying.
"I am doing a bit of everything across the week, ranging from shed washdowns and pasture management to calving and picking up calves, relearning skills I used to know well as a teenager."
The former All Blacks star also explained that the farm milks its cows twice a day.
He added: "In both, you are always looking for ways to improve, which is a great mindset, but you also have to remind yourself that Rome wasn't built in a day,
"You need a good plan and just chip away at it over time.
"The biggest similarity is the team aspect. Whether it is a two-person operation of a large-scale enterprise, farming is never just one person out there, it is always a team effort, exactly like footy.
"We are always striving to do better, but sometimes you have to stop and look back at where you started to appreciate the improvements you have made to your farm system."
Why Whitelock returned to farming
Whitelock grew up on the family farm before leaving to chase his rugby dream.
Almost 20 years later, he has returned with his wife Hannah and their three children.
The move means his children can enjoy the same rural upbringing he experienced.
Whitelock has also spoken about the mental pressures of farming.
As an ambassador for Farmstrong, he helps raise awareness of the challenges faced by farmers across New Zealand.
His passion for the cause dates back to a salmonella outbreak on his parents' farm.
The family faced huge pressure after being advised to cull large numbers of cattle.
Whitelock said the experience showed him how quickly farmers can become isolated.
One of the All Blacks' greatest players
Before returning to farming, Whitelock enjoyed one of the finest careers in All Blacks history.
He made his international debut against Ireland in 2010 and went on to win 153 caps.
He became New Zealand's most-capped player and featured in four Rugby World Cups.
Whitelock also won seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders.
When he announced his retirement in April 2024, he explained that spending more time with his family was a major factor.
Now, instead of facing the world's best forwards, he spends his days helping run one of New Zealand's large dairy farms.
And despite winning almost everything rugby had to offer, Whitelock is enjoying the challenge of learning something new.
