Pau bring in Whitelock to replace departing stars

Yet another All Black has signed for Top 14 side Pau, the club has today confirmed. Pau have recruited Highlanders co-captain Luke Whitelock on a three-year deal. 

The brother of Crusaders captain and one of the All Blacks vice-captains Sam Whitelock, Luke made his test debut back in 2012 but spent an extended period out of the All Blacks before returning to the squad during the 2017 November tests and started all the June test against France in 2018.

Whitelock joins fellow Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith at the club. Whitelock's move would compensate the loss of the likes of Steffon Armitage (33 years), Paddy Butler (28 years old), Sean Dougall (29 years old) and Ben Mowen (34) who will all reportedly leave the club at the end of the season. 

Pau was close to agreeing a deal with Hurricanes and All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea before he opted to remain in New Zealand by signing a deal until 2021.

Whitelock joins a long line of New Zealanders currently at the club. The likes of Frank Halai, Jamie Mackintosh, Peter Saili, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor while Conrad Smith is currently involved with the coaching staff. However, Mackintosh is one of the players rumoured to leave the squad.