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Rugby World Cup Barometer: Whitelock key to All Black success

By:

Deputy Sports Editor - Morning Wire

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In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.
In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.

Player of the week

Sometimes fans get lost in watching the next up-and-coming star but it’s the stalwarts who often steal the show when it matters. Sam Whitelock – 34-year-old New Zealand legend – could win his 150th international cap at the World Cup this year.

he lock won man of the match in his Crusaders side’s victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final – his second man of the match performance in as many finals.

He’ll be key to any All Black run towards the William Webb Ellis trophy this autumn.

Who’s hot

  • James Slipper was named co-captain of Eddie Jones’s Australia ahead of this summer’s Rugby Championship competition Down Under.
  • Richie Mo’unga was up against his potential New Zealand No10 competition Damian Mckenzie. He was superior in the Super Rugby Pacific final. 

Who’s not

  • Ken Owens has departed the Wales World Cup set-up with an injury. The former captain is the latest high profile player to leave camp.
  • All Black Anton Lienert-Brown was handed a three-week ban for a high shot in the Super Rugby final last week. He will be back in time for the World Cup but without important game time under his belt.

Previous Rugby World Cup Barometers