Luke Whitelock gets early chance to campaign for All Blacks' World Cup spot RICHARD KNOWLERGETTY IMAGES The Highlanders' Luke Whitelock is tackled by Will Miller of the Waratahs during the Super Rugby trial match in Alexandra on February 1. Whether Luke Whitelock features in the All Blacks selectors' World Cup masterplan will be one of many subjects discussed as the Super Rugby season progresses. The competition for places in the back row ahead of the World Cup in Japan doesn't lack heat. Named in the All Blacks squad to play France, he had to withdraw because of a calf strain. Breaking an arm in the Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes stretched his run of misfortune, and he wasn't considered for the All Blacks squad to tour at the end of the year.

Source: Stuff February 07, 2019 03:00 UTC