Proud dad Whitelock braces for long All Blacks tour
Lock is unlikely to hold his newborn daughter again until December
09 September 2021 - 15:14
byIan Ransom
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Sam Whitelock. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/STEVE HAAG Image:
Melbourne — Stalwart lock Sam Whitelock enjoyed a special time with his wife Hannah and newborn daughter Penelope in hospital and is preparing to spend the next few months away from them as he rejoins the All Blacks on a long tour.
Whitelock missed last Sunday’s 38-21 win over Australia in Perth along with teammates Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith as the trio stayed home to await the births of their children.
Whitelock will depart for Australia at the weekend to link up with the squad for the Rugby Championship in Queensland and the northern hemisphere tour.
The 32-year-old father-of-three will have 14 days in hotel quarantine in Australia and the same in New Zealand when he arrives home, according to the countries’ strict Covid-19 rules.
All told, he is unlikely to hold his baby daughter again until December.
“It’s going to be pretty challenging what that looks like for me leaving the family but also for those two weeks where I’ve got to train in a small hotel room,” the Test centurion told New Zealand media.
“If you look back through the history of All Blacks and sporting people being away, some people got on a boat and when they got home they were handed a six-month-old child and told ‘this is your daughter or son’.
“Times have changed a little, but it feels a bit that way ... I didn’t make the decision lightly about going but at the same time I’ve got to do my job.”
Whitelock will miss both of the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina while in quarantine and the first against SA.
He is targeting the final Springboks clash on October 2 in Gold Coast.
“Every Test is so special so you never want to take one for granted,” he said. “If there’s an opportunity to get on a plane and play I’m going to do it.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Proud dad Whitelock braces for long All Blacks tour
Lock is unlikely to hold his newborn daughter again until December
Image:
Melbourne — Stalwart lock Sam Whitelock enjoyed a special time with his wife Hannah and newborn daughter Penelope in hospital and is preparing to spend the next few months away from them as he rejoins the All Blacks on a long tour.
Whitelock missed last Sunday’s 38-21 win over Australia in Perth along with teammates Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith as the trio stayed home to await the births of their children.
Whitelock will depart for Australia at the weekend to link up with the squad for the Rugby Championship in Queensland and the northern hemisphere tour.
The 32-year-old father-of-three will have 14 days in hotel quarantine in Australia and the same in New Zealand when he arrives home, according to the countries’ strict Covid-19 rules.
All told, he is unlikely to hold his baby daughter again until December.
“It’s going to be pretty challenging what that looks like for me leaving the family but also for those two weeks where I’ve got to train in a small hotel room,” the Test centurion told New Zealand media.
“If you look back through the history of All Blacks and sporting people being away, some people got on a boat and when they got home they were handed a six-month-old child and told ‘this is your daughter or son’.
“Times have changed a little, but it feels a bit that way ... I didn’t make the decision lightly about going but at the same time I’ve got to do my job.”
Whitelock will miss both of the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina while in quarantine and the first against SA.
He is targeting the final Springboks clash on October 2 in Gold Coast.
“Every Test is so special so you never want to take one for granted,” he said. “If there’s an opportunity to get on a plane and play I’m going to do it.”
Reuters
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