Whitelock knows he is replaceable despite his ranking among the world's best locks © Getty Images

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There's a telling moment right at the end of ESPN's exclusive chat with Sam Whitelock that revealed plenty about the big lock's psyche, and indeed about the two teams he's represented with such distinction over the past half-decade. As we shake hands to tie things up, I say "see you at the World Cup" in reference to the tournament that takes place in my homeland later this year. "Yeah … hopefully," comes the reply.

This tentative, humble response confirms a suspicion built up in the previous 30 minutes that this is a bloke who takes nothing for granted and abhors embellishment. That answer, from a Rugby World Cup winner who has played 62 times for his country and has been nigh ever-present for five seasons, betrays the All Blacks' belief that no one is indispensable, that you can lose his place tomorrow, that there's always someone knocking on the door and waiting to step off the game's most predictable production line - the one that spawned Whitelock six years ago - and that injury can always strike at the most inopportune moment. Take nothing for granted. You are always replaceable.

Whitelock and his New Zealand and Crusaders team-mate Kieran Read are finishing their "mini-sabbaticals" at the start of this season, to manage their mighty workload in what poses as the mother of all years on a number of levels. At Super Rugby level, the Crusaders are looking not only to avenge their last-gasp final defeat to the Waratahs last August but also to farewell legends Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as they leave the franchise after careers the word "distinguished" doesn't begin to cover. The All Blacks, you won't need to be told, are looking to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup. Some year.

But there's little indication, as I survey training at Rugby Park in the Christchurch suburb of St Albans, that Read and Whitelock are on sabbatical. The pair stand in defence and challenge the current XV's set-piece with all the intensity of young bucks looking for their big break. The group splits into sub-sections and Whitelock spends the final 15 minutes of the session acting as a sort of quasi-coach-cum-reverse-tackle-bag, smashing team-mates onto a soft mat, presumably so they know what it's like to be hit by a hard bastard; I fear I missed the point of the exercise. His team-mates' landing is cushioned, but I don't envy them - just as I hadn't when he'd been pinching ball as they fine-tuned their lineout. This is help by hammering; training sans compromise; leadership by example - Whitelock-style. Sabbatical, meh. Take nothing for granted. You are always replaceable.

Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick get to know each other at training © Getty Images

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So, about that break. As was evident at training, he's not holding much back; is it a necessary evil or even an irritation to have to sit on the sideline?

"I wouldn't describe it as a necessary evil," he smiles. "I'd say it's a chance to get a proper pre-season in, put on some weight, get strong and get some training under the belt because when we come back normally we're straight into it because of we've got a gruelling schedule.

"It's been good in all those areas, but ultimately we're rugby players and we love playing. I've enjoyed the different perspective that comes with helping a team prepare. It's a reminder that it's something that some people spend all their time doing so it's great to take on that new role for a few weeks. I watched the game [against the Highlanders] in Dunedin from home and it's just the same as if you're playing. You're nervous for the guys beforehand; you've been with the team all week so you know what you're trying to do and the areas that we're trying to work on. Obviously we got a win so I was a lot calmer and very relieved afterwards. But I won't pretend I'm not looking forward to getting back on the park."

When he does get back on the park, that year awaits; but, in keeping with his no-nonsense on-field style, there's no frills here. This year, he says, is no different from any other. Every match is must-win. Dan and Richie are legends. But they're also mortal. And replaceable. Take nothing for granted. You are always replaceable.

Whitelock and Nemani Nadolo share a joke © Getty Images

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"Every year is a big year for us," he says, without sounding remotely cliched. "Every year we play a long Super Rugby season and then All Blacks time lasts months. We're desperate, and expected - by ourselves and our fans - to win every game, so every year is a big year and every game is huge. On a personal level, we all know there's someone waiting to pinch your jersey.

"For myself, this is my sixth year and I haven't won a Super title, so I'm working harder than ever before to make that happen. I've been seriously close, but it takes one hell of an effort to even get to the finals and be in with a shot. For Dan and Richie, I've no doubt they'd be thinking it's their last shot. But there are guys in our squad who are in their first year, and guys in their 10th or 12th; so everyone is at different stages of their careers and we have to perform well as a 15, 23 or more to get anywhere. Everybody knows that and the focus is never on individual goals."

It feels like Whitelock has been around for ever but, as he reminded me, the Crusaders haven't won a thing despite making the finals every year he's been in the squad (since 2010). Here's a guy who goes about his business quietly with little fanfare, maybe half the press exposure of some of his more storied colleagues, and less bullshit than perhaps anyone else in world rugby. He just gets on with being one of the best in the world at what he does, which is tackle anything not wearing black or red, shunt his grand frame in the scrum, rule the airwaves at lineout time and - just quietly - deftly use a pair of hands supple enough to make some centres blush. That he's not more celebrated tells of the brilliance of his colleagues, but it is also completely in keeping with the way the bloke carries himself and plays the game. He doesn't always catch the eye, he's a cog in the machine, a spoke in the wheel; tucked away, working silly hard, hands all black with dirt.

Take nothing for granted. You are always replaceable.

Sam Whitelock stands tall among All Blacks equals © Getty Images

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