Sam Whitelock quietly produces the greatest finish of all time
Australia fans might not want to hear this, but Sam Whitelock did score his controversial try against the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday.
The All Blacks’ captain on the day opened the scoring in the second half with a try from short range, with a finish that has caused plenty of controversy online, with people feeling he lost control of the ball.
The replay does clearly show that Wallabies prop Angus Bell did get his hand on the ball while Whitelock drove over, but there is an angle that shows the All Black actually kept his hand on the ball the whole time. So much so that he was even able to stand up with the ball still in his hand after scoring.
This is the angle that shows Whitelock’s fingers still on the left side of the ball (with Bell’s on the other side):
Credit must be given to Whitelock here, as he has basically shown the grip strength of Thor in this finish. With his arm and hand contorted, he still managed to dot the ball down, which is truly a world class score.
Take a look:
What happened there!? 😱
Two hands, two players, one ball… one TRY? 🤨
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All Blacks XV
1.Ethan de Groot (9)
2.Codie Taylor (71)
3.Tyrel Lomax (19)
4.Brodie Retallick (97)
5.Samuel Whitelock (139)
6.Akira Ioane (18)
7.Dalton Papali’i (17)
8.Ardie Savea (66)
9.Aaron Smith (110)
10.Richie Mo’unga (40)
11.Caleb Clarke (10)
12. Jordie Barrett (44)
13.Rieko Ioane (55)
14.Will Jordan (20)
15. Beauden Barrett (108)
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (16)
17.Ofa Tu’ungafasi (47)
18.Nepo Laulala (41)
19.Tupou Vaa’i (14)
20.Hoskins Sotutu (11)
21.Finlay Christie (11)
22.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (1)
23.Sevu Reece (20)
Wallabies XV
1. James Slipper (c) (122 Tests)
2. David Porecki (6 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (59 Tests)
4. Jed Holloway (5 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (2 Tests)
6. Rob Valetini (26 Tests)
7. Pete Samu (27 Tests)
8. Harry Wilson (11 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (15 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (72 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (50 Tests)
12. Lalakai Foketi (3 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (20 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (17 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (17 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (32 Tests)
17. Angus Bell (19 Tests)
18. Pone Fa’amausili (2 Tests)
19. Nick Frost (4 Tests)
20. Fraser McReight (7 Tests)
21. Nic White (55 Tests)
22. Reece Hodge (59 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (21 Tests)
