Sam Whitelock likely to return for third Bledisloe Cup test

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is likely to make the run-on team this Saturday for their third Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies.

Whitelock missed the second test at Eden Park with delayed concussion symptoms suffered during the first-test draw in Wellington but is confident that he will be back in the frame for selection for this weekend if he gets through the contact training sessions.

The 32-year-old says he has been in full training mode and the only thing he has to do now is to tackle a few players and he is hopeful to get through this.

He says his injury was not that bad, so he had a bit of extra time to recover from his injuries.

The All Blacks will need to at least have one draw to retain the Cup for a 17th straight year.

The All Blacks will take on the Wallabies at 8.45pm Saturday.