Whitelock to equal McCaw’s All Blacks caps record in Rugby World Cup test vs Namibia

By The Associated Press
New Zealand's Samuel Whitelock, center, fights for the ball with France's Matthieu Jalibert, left, during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Lewis Joly]

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Sam Whitelock will equal Richie McCaw’s New Zealand caps record in a much-changed side facing Namibia in the Rugby World Cup on Friday. The All Blacks have changed 10, one positional, of the starting side that lost to France 27-13 last Friday in Paris. Whitelock’s 148th test will tie McCaw. Only retired great Alun Wyn Jones has more caps, 171 for Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Whitelock, prop Nepo Laulala and back-rowers Ardie Savea and Dalton Papali’i have retained their starting spots in the pack. Beauden Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown are the only backs to repeat. Namibia has changed six — one positional — after losing to Italy 52-8 in Saint-Etienne. Eight of the team played in the 71-9 loss to New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup.

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