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'No whinging, no whining' — Sam Whitelock reflects on Crusaders' remarkable post-quake season

February 22, 2021

The Crusaders spent the season on the road after the Canterbury quake wrecked Lancaster Park. Sam Whitelock told 1 NEWS' Jordan Oppert about his memories from that time.

The 2011 Super Rugby season was like none-other for the Crusaders, after the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park.

The disaster took life of board member Philip McDonald in the PGC Building, and saw the team play the rest of its season away from home, including against the Sharks at Twickenham, London.

Remarkably they made it all the way the final, where they went down 18-13 to the Reds.

Sophie Pascoe says she lost her second home – QE2 – meaning she and other swimmers haven’t had a 50m pool to train in.

One of the few remaining players from that season's squad still playing - Sam Whitelock - spoke to 1 NEWS about his memories from the day, as well the days and months that followed. 

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