The All Blacks' final Test match of the year against Wales will be very special for Sam Whitelock in more ways than one.
The 29-year-old will skipper his country for the first time at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZ time), but on top of that, he will be playing aside his younger brother Luke, who is staring at no 8, filling in for the injured Kieran Read.
It will be the first time in 95 Test matches Sam Whitelock will play a match for New Zealand alongside one of his four brothers, and he is looking forward to the opportunity and making his family proud.
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"I've played a lot of age-group stuff, and a bit at the Crusaders with him, as well as the two older brothers [George and Adam], but to do it in a Test match is going to be unreal," he told reporters.
"I know my parents are going to be in the stands and they will be quite emotional. But the best thing for us is we're doing what we love, so it's nice and easy."
The towering lock made his All Blacks debut back in 2010 against Ireland, and never thought he would ever get the honour of leading his country in a Test match.
"It was always a dream to play for the All Blacks.
"I've never been too fussed around being captain. The longer I've been around, it's probably something I've been more aware of, trying to help out previous captains as much as possible.
"It's massive in my playing career, but the beauty is there are so many guys in the team who have done it before."
Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since December 19, 1953, when they claimed a 13-8 win.
Sam and Luke's grandfather, Nelson Dalzell, played in that match against Wales 64 years ago in Cardiff.
Since then, the All Blacks have won 29 straight matches over the Welsh - and Whitelock is hoping to extend that mark to 30 this weekend.
"It's something Luke and I are probably aware of more than anyone else," said Sam Whitelock. "It would be nice not to be like him [and lose the match].
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