All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was full of praise for lock Sam Whitelock, as he prepares to raise the bat for his 100th Test match this Saturday, named to face the Wallabies in Sydney.
Since his Test debut in 2010, Whitelock, 29, has made himself an integral part of the All Blacks' side under both Steve Hansen and Sir Graham Henry before him, winning two World Cups and several tri-Nations and Rugby Championships in the process.
Asked about Whitelock's achievement at his media conference in Sydney this afternoon, Hansen didn't hold back in his appreciation of the inspirational lock's role in the black jersey.
"He's always been a quality athlete," Hansen began.
"Sam, in his own right, is one of the world's best locks.
"He can carry, he can defend, he's good in the set piece - both scrum and lineout."
Hansen also detailed a meeting between himself and Whitelock during his days as an All Blacks rookie, laying down the goal of reaching a century of matches.
"When he'd played about 20 Test matches, we sat down and set a goal, he game me the goal that he wanted to play 100 Test matches, and he's achieved that."
"To do that, you've got to be playing well consistently.
"To be able to play 100 tells how good a quality player he is.
"I'm very proud of him."
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