Sam Whitelock: New Zealand’s most-capped player to retire this summer

New Zealand’s most-capped player Sam Whitelock will retire at the end of the French club season in June.

The lock, who played 153 times for the All Blacks, retired from international rugby after defeat by South Africa in last autumn’s World Cup final.

The 35-year-old won back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015 and moved to Top 14 side Pau last year.

“It’s time to finish the playing chapter of rugby,” Whitelock said in an All Blacks statement.

“I’ve been having a few conversations with my wife Hannah and the kids around what the future looks like for us.

“I think if you talk to anyone who has played for a long time, that desire [to compete] never leaves, it’s just that stage of life when you move on.”