WELLINGTON – Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says he will speak to New Zealand Rugby about managing workloads ahead of next year’s World Cup, but added that no decision has been made about resting captain Sam Whitelock for the start of the Super Rugby season.
The 106 Test cap lock looked fatigued and was replaced after 52 minutes of Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup win over Australia in Yokohama.
The New Zealand Herald reported last week that Whitelock would miss the first four games of Super Rugby next season to ensure he was not burned out before the World Cup in Japan.
Whitelock looked fatigued in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup tie against Australia. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Robertson said yesterday that Whitelock’s situation would probably be part of a wider conversation with New Zealand coach Steve Hansen about all of the All Black players.
“What’s best for Sam, like all our All Blacks who have had long seasons? You’ve got to manage them,” Robertson told reporters in Christchurch. “There’s a lot of conversations to be had post the tour, to see how many minutes they’ve played, how many games they’ve played.
“No doubt myself and Steve will sit down and have a chat to see what’s best for the individual players, there will be a few of them.”