Coronavirus: NZ Rugby reveals that Sam Whitelock could play for Crusaders this year

Blockade of all blacks Sam Whitelock is online to make a surprising comeback for the Crusaders this year, and could even appear in the Canterbury colors during the Miter Cup 10.

Whitelock, a warm favorite to be the next All Blacks captain, returned to New Zealand earlier than expected from a one-season deal in Japan due to the coronavirus crisis, and New Zealand Rugby revealed to Stuff that he is now free of play for the super rugby champions in a revised tournament structure.

“It is absolutely possible,” New Zealand Rugby Professional Rugby Chief Chris Lendrum said Thursday.

“Right now, Sanzaar’s current rules would prevent Sam from getting involved in the finals series, depending on when he was sent to New Zealand again.”

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“But clearly, with a lot of these things, the rules we have will be taken into account.”

“There will be all kinds of irregularities around the movement of the players caused by this crisis and the current blockade.

Whitelock’s possible return would be a massive boost not only for the Crusaders, but also any revised Kiwi-only Super Rugby competition that NZ Rugby can build according to government guidelines on the coronavirus.

If the guidelines are relaxed enough, and NZ Rugby is happy that the games can be played in an environment that protects the players and staff needed to organize events, some form of Super Rugby competition could be in place in the coming years. months.

Lendrum also indicated that Whitelock could make a rare appearance in provincial colors, something that would shock the provincial game.

“It is certainly possible that he can play for Canterbury if the All Blacks are available until Miter 10 Cup,” Lendrum said.

“Again, that depends on the state of the shutdown and when we can play again nationally versus internationally.”

Whitelock currently chairs a competition structure committee that is researching various models for rugby’s comeback.

However, Lendrum has some bad news for Chiefs fans in hopes that Brodie Retallick can return this year as well.

“Brodie Retallick’s contract with Kobe until the end of the 20-20 season,” he said.

“We have not had specific conversations with Brodie indicating that his plans have changed as a result of this.”

“Our current expectation is that we don’t have him playing here in 2020.”

Lendrum also said the coronavirus crisis could be a turning point for New Zealand rugby, and said he had already heard some anecdotal stories distressing foreign clubs withdrawing contracts from Kiwi players.

“I’m not going to go into details, but the foreigner has become much less attractive to players, suddenly, to families in particular,” Lendrum said.

“There is some anecdotal information on contract withdrawals, but mostly like everyone else, we are looking at the industry news and seeing the angst that clubs are in abroad.”

“They have largely closed their hiring activity, as we have done for the time being.”

“It is a challenge, but it also gives me some hope for the future that New Zealand Rugby, if we can continue to be sustainable and viable, we can get out of this in better shape.”

“We can become an even more attractive place to live and live than we are now.”