Sam Whitelock

Veteran All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock might be in line for a lift in leadership now the vice-captaincy role is vacant after Ben Smith started his sabbatical.

Whitelock, 28, who could play his 91st test if selected for Saturday night's test against Argentina in New Plymouth, impressed most observers with the way he handled the captaincy of the Crusaders through their Super Rugby triumph this season and appears the natural back-up to Kieran Read.     

Retallick, who has formed arguably one of the world's most feared locking partnerships with Sam Whitelock over the last five years, wasn't thrilled with the way the All Blacks lineouts functioned during the 1-1 series draw against the British and Irish Lions.

At 2.04m there aren't too many people that Retallick has to look up to, but the Wallabies' Rory Arnold, who will partner Adam Coleman in the boiler room, is 4cm taller than the Kiwi.

The formidable duo of Retallick and Whitelock has been one of the great strengths of the world champion All Blacks' forward machine in recent years and both are used to winning against the Wallabies.

Whitelock has tasted defeat just three times in 20 games Tests against Australia and Retallick once in 15.

Rising Wallabies lock Rory Arnold acknowledged getting an edge over the duo was key for his team.

"They've been world-class locks now for a number of years, so if we want to dominate up front we know we've got to go at those blokes," said Arnold.

Whitelock is the All Blacks' most capped lock with 84 appearances since his debut against Ireland in 2010.

The 28-year-old dual-world-cup winner has established himself as one of New Zealand's premier locks alongside Chiefs big man Brodie Retallick in the black jersey.

Whitelock said staying in New Zealand was an easy decision.

"When I considered whether my immediate playing future was here in New Zealand and Christchurch, I didn't need to look far for the answer.

Whitelock, who is off contract with NZ Rugby after the All Blacks' series against the British and Irish Lions this winter, would be a prized signing for Toulon who are on the hunt for a world-class second rower to embed in their pack.

If Boudjellal managed to snare the signature of the 28-year-old Whitelock, who has played 84 tests since 2010, it would be considered a blow for NZ Rugby who have recently re-signed valued employees Ben Smith and Israel Dagg.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has already signalled he is keen to re-sign through to the 2019 World Cup.