Alan Whetton

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Alan Whetton
caption =
birthname = Alan James Whetton
nickname =
birthyear = 1959
birthmonth = 12
birthday = 15
placeofbirth = Auckland, New Zealand
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.93
weight = convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Flanker|capital=yes
allblackid = 942
allblackno = 853
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalyears = 1984–1991
ru_nationalteam = New Zealand
ru_nationalcaps = 65
ru_nationalpoints = (104)
ru_ntupdate =
ru_provinceyears = 1980–1992
ru_province = Auckland
ru_provincecaps = 150
ru_provincepoints =
ru_provinceupdate =
other = yes
occupation =
spouse =
children =
relatives = Gary Whetton
school = Auckland Grammar
university =

Alan Whetton (born 15 December 1959 in Auckland, New Zealand) also known as "AJ" is a former rugby union footballer who played for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. Whetton first played representative rugby for Auckland in 1981. He played alongside his twin brother Gary for both Auckland, and later the All Blacks. He played a variety of positions early in his career, playing at Number 8 and Lock before playing most often as a Flanker. He first played for the All Blacks in 1984 on their tour of Australia, and played his first Test match on 21 July against Australia.

He toured with the controversial New Zealand Cavaliers on their tour of South Africa in 1986. He was banned for two matches for participating in the tour, but by 1987 had cemented his place in the All Blacks. As part of a loose forward trio with Wayne Shelford and Michael Jones that played 13 Tests together,cite news| title=All Blacks Loose Forwards Factbox |publisher=New Zealand Press Association |date=2006-11-15] Whetton played throughout the All Blacks victorious Rugby World Cup campaign of 1987.

Whetton continued to play for the All Blacks until their semi-final defeat to Australia at the 1991 World Cup. He played for Auckland in 1992, and finished with 150 matches for his province. Following retirement from rugby in New Zealand, he was a player coach for Kobe Steel between 1996 and 1999. He was a commentator for New Zealand's TV3 network during their coverage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup,cite news| title=On the Telly |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=2007-08-25] . Whetton is involved in the business of sporting signage. In his personal life, Whetton is married with two daughters.cite news| title=Alan Whetton |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=2007-05-19]

Notes and references

External links

*cite web| url=http://stats.allblacks.com/Profile.asp?ABID=942 |title=AJ Whetton |publisher=allblacks.com |accessdate=2008-04-07