Rugby: All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock to join side in Queensland after birth of third child, will observe two weeks quarantine

All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock will rejoin the team in Queensland, leaving New Zealand for Australia on Saturday, after the birth of his third child.

Whitelock, 32, remained in New Zealand for the third Bledisloe Cup test last Sunday, as he and wife Helen welcomed their third child.

Fellow All Blacks starters Richie Mo'unga and Aaron Smith are also home, expecting children, while Dane Coles remained in New Zealand with a calf injury.

In Whitelock's absence, Ardie Savea captained the All Blacks to a 38-21 victory over Australia in Perth on Sunday, but Whitelock will rejoin the team, after serving two weeks of quarantine.

Whitelock will finish quarantine on September 25 - the day the All Blacks face South Africa in Townsville.

Whitelock will become available for selection for their Rugby Championship finale, also against South Africa, on the Gold Coast.

The All Blacks have given no indication whether Mo'unga, Smith or Coles will do the same, before the team departs for the northern hemisphere on their end-of-year tour.

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