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All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock was hailed as a “God-like” figure by Scott Robertson after returning from an Achilles injury to play 80 minutes in the Crusaders’ tense Super Rugby grand final win on Saturday night.
Whitelock was named man of the match for the second grand final straight and it came after All Blacks management felt he should have been stood down due to his injury, with the Rugby Championship and World Cup looming.
“His performance to go 80 minutes, he wasn’t coming off. He loved it,” Robertson said.
“We think he’s an immortal in the game. He’s a God-like figure with what he’s done. The amount of games he’s played, when he was captain, year after year, he rises up every day. For him to have that moment is pretty special.
“In his mind he was always going to play, it was his Achilles that was going to say no. The doc said no but it’s the way he is with his mindset.”
All Blacks coach Ian Foster had predicted Whitelock would miss the game but the 34-year old was immense as the Crusaders swept to a seventh straight title.
“The body is definitely sore I think I’ll be in a bit of trouble with All Blacks management but so good to sign off for a number of guys who have had a massive career with the Crusaders,” Whitelock said afterwards.
Samuel Whitelock celebrates. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
It was Whitelock’s final game for the club with a move to France coming up after the World Cup.
“It’s not the season I wanted. I haven’t played a lot,” Whitelock said. “I had the broken hand and niggly Achilles but it was so good to get out on the field. It was touch and go. I knew I had to make the decision in the warm up. It was good enough so that was the main thing.”
While it turned out right for Whitelock he almost handed Damian McKenzie a chance to win the game late on when he conceded a penalty just inside the Chiefs’ half. DMac’s long range effort pulled up short.
“I knew it was right on Damian’s range. I was crossing everything,” Whitelock said.
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, another who produced a champion effort, in the tough win, also talked up his Test teammate.
“He’s a calming influence. You know you’ve got someone who is an immortal of our game. He’s a winner, he’s a competitor,” Barrett said. “He lays everything out there and I’m immensely proud to call him a mate. He’s given so much to this jersey over 14 or so years.”
It was also the end of the line for Robertson at the Crusaders – at least for now. He departs for the All Blacks with seven titles and seven breakdances.
“It feels awesome because nothing is given, everything is earned,” Robertson said, who also raved about his playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
“Richie was sublime. He’s a genuine world-class finals footballer. He’s a winner, he stays in the fight and he’s clutch. We’re going to miss everyone. The next two days we’re not – because we’re going to make sure they participate heavily.
“I’m really proud to call myself a Crusader as a player and a coach. You don’t often get to coach a team you play for and be successful in both.
“I’ve been going to Rugby Park for 23 years in different capacities. The Crusaders have given me an incredible amount of opportunities. I’m thankful so to finish on this note is special because it could’ve been the other way.”
It was of course, a completely different mood on the losing side of the finale.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan summed it up: “It sucks, eh.”
The Chiefs suffered three yellow cards in the game – leaving them a mountain to climb. They fell agonisingly short.
“We threw enough bullets to win the game, on a different night maybe we would’ve got the job done,” McMillan said.
“There’s nothing between these two teams, anyone could’ve won this game. Unfortunately it wasn’t us.
“The championship is defined on a few moments tonight, but a few moments don’t define this team.”
McMillan had to do without three of his best with Sam Cane, Anton Leinert-Brown and Luke Jacobson all spending time in the bin.
“It’s going to be tough to beat the Crusaders when you have three yellow cards,” McMillan said.
“It’s one of those things where I’ll have to have a good look and determine if they were the right calls.
“The referee obviously deemed it was. And I think that that probably played a part in the outcome.”
The penalty count went 15-8 against the Chiefs and the game started with a 6-0 run to the Crusaders.
“I honestly think the biggest call, momentum-swinger, was what I thought was a clear and obvious forward pass just before halftime,” McMillan said of a moment that drew astnishment on social media.
“That gives us a scrum, we apply some pressure down that end of the field. [Instead], they score off the play after. That’s a big moment.
“I don’t want to bag the referee. The crowd did that at the end of the game, maybe that says something.”
The post-match presentations for the officials were soured when the quartet of Ben O’Keeffe, Angus Gardner, Nic Berry and Brendon Pickerill were loudly booed.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.