All Black great Sam Whitelock to retire at end of season 

TOUGH NUT: Sam Whitelock poses during the New Zealand All Blacks headshots session. Pic: Greg Bowker, Getty Images

Double World Cup-winning All Black great Sam Whitelock will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

Record All Black cap-holder Whitelock (153) - currently at French outfit Pau - will hang up his boots at the end of the current Top 14 campaign in order to "spend more time with his family".

“I’ve been having a few conversations with my wife Hannah and the kids around what the future looks like for us,” the second-row said in an All Blacks statement. “And it’s time to finish the playing chapter of rugby.

“I think if you talk to anyone who has played for a long time, that desire [to compete] never leaves, it’s just that stage of life when you move on.

“It’s not a decision that we have come to lightly, but it’s the right thing for myself and it’s the right thing for my wife and our three kids – Fred, Iris and Penelope.

AERIAL DOMINANCE: New Zealand's Sam Whitelock. Pic: Marty Melville, Photosport 

“And I think that is what excites me the most – spending more time with my kids and my wife, and actually watching them play sport. Being able to go to the cross-country at school and those things.

“It’s hard to thank everyone, but obviously Hannah has been a massive part along with my parents, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunties and grandparents. And also the fans in general, they’ve been so receptive of myself and also the way I play.

“I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve had and there is no way I could have achieved the things I’ve had without them.” 

New All Black head coach Scott Robertson, who Whitelock played under during a golden era for the Crusaders, added: “Sam is an immortal of our incredible game.

“First and foremost, he is a quality person. A great husband and father who has a special ability to build deep connections with people from all walks of life.

“In terms of his rugby, Sam’s impact has been immense both mentally and physically over four World Cup cycles. He is a winner who rose to any occasion as his competitive spirit drove him to the highest level of performance.

“Sam will stand with the greats of our game.”

35-year-old Whitelock - second only to Wales' Alun Wyn Jones on the all-time list of most-capped internationals - had been touted for an All Black return in recent weeks, but confirmation of his retirement before the summer internationals has ended any debate on that front.