Whitelock ready to face France after concussion lay-off

Stand-in captain Sam Whitelock is confident he is ready to return to action with New Zealand, despite a lengthy lay-off with concussion.

Crusaders player Whitelock initially missed his side’s Super Rugby derby clash with Highlanders in March, having suffered a head injury in a previous match.

Although he soon returned to the team, Whitelock was again forced out of action last month, with his last appearance coming on May 12.

The lock is now fit and ready to return against France in Saturday’s Test, and he is looking forward to getting back out on the pitch, stepping in for Kieran Read as skipper.

“I’ve had a couple of weeks where I haven’t played,” said Whitelock. “It’s frustrating. I always want to be out there if I’m 100 per cent fit – or even if I’m not.

Captain’s Run #NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/kQrvB0oqRV

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 8, 2018

“I’m really excited about getting out there. The confidence is where it needs to be. I’ve been lucky enough to have been in this environment a couple of times so I just need to back myself and my ability.

“At times I’m going to be blowing hard, but I think that’s normal no matter where you are in a Test match.”

Whitelock will be joined by Crusaders team-mate Scott Barrett in the All Blacks line-up and he believes that can only aid his confidence.

“Scooter [Barrett] has been going really well. He’s really stepped up over the last couple of years,” he added. “People are really starting to take notice now.

“The best thing is having someone out there I’ve played a lot with. That gives me that confidence to do my own thing because he’s playing so well.”

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