Sam Whitelock, New Zealand rugby player

Samuel Lawrence Whitelock (born 12 October 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock for the Crusaders in Super Rugby in New Zealand. Whitelock has captained the Crusaders and All Blacks in five international games, having earned selection for New Zealand through playing in the Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury.

Whitelock has played over 100 tests for the All Blacks since his debut in 2010 and is the youngest New Zealander in history to reach 100 tests. He is the fastest player ever to reach 100 international appearances, achieving the feat eight years and two months after his test debut.Whitelock was the winner of New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year in 2017 and has formed a renowned locking combination with Brodie Retallick. Whitelock and Retallick have played 50 tests together since 2012. He was a key member of 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning teams, becoming one of only 20 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions.