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Gary Whetton lifts the Bledisloe Cup in 1991.Credit:AP

Theres bits of truth, says Whetton of his Wikipedia page. The best thing is its almost believable, so youre not too sure. My mates started changing my Wikipedia for fun because they had nothing to do. Its pretty ridiculous but I think its quite funny.

Whetton was born in Auckland and his father Gary chalked up 58 Tests for the All Blacks, captaining the side on 15 occasions. His dads twin, Alan, also played 35 Tests in the famous black jersey but rugby wasnt Whettons first calling.

Dad didnt play rugby until he was about 15, he always played soccer, Whetton says. He tried to get us to play soccer and I hated it. There was never any pressure. When I was 15 and said I wanted to give rugby a good crack, then he switched on to be more hands-on. He was a lock and is my height.

Wikipedia is correct in saying Whetton could qualify for the Wallabies or All Blacks take note Dave Rennie but Germany through birth?

Thats not true. Thats complete rubbish, Whetton says with a laugh. Id love to go though.

At 21, Whetton moved to Australia to take up a deal with the Brumbies, but according to Wikipedia, the Auckland Blues also wanted his services.

In a controversial move, he turned down their offer and instead signed for the Brumbies in October 2012, the page reads.

Whetton sets the record straight.

Id already signed with the Brumbies before they came to me, Whetton says. Steve Larkham and Laurie Fisher offered me a full contract. I played half-a-dozen games for the Brums all off the bench.

Seeking greater opportunity, Whetton found a temporary home in Leicester, where he met Thorn, with a World Cup to his name and one of the most decorated CVs in world rugby, and Geoff Parling, the former England second-rower now doubling as a Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies assistant.

According to Wikipedia, there was only so much he could learn from Thorn and Parling, hence why Whetton left for France.

Whetton during his Brumbies days. Credit:Jeffrey Chan

Whetton bursts out laughing.

I havent seen Brad since that season, so itll be good to catch up with him here in Narrabri, Whetton says. I was a 22-year-old kid who thought he knew the whole world. They just brought a whole new level of intensity, especially at training. Jeez they trained hard.

Then came a French adventure with second division team USO Nevers and neighbour Jean-Luc Emmanuel, the local tax accountant who found Whettons companionship the perfect tonic after going through his third divorce.

Ive got no idea who Jean-Luc is. No clue, Whetton chuckles.

Jack Whetton receives a lineout during Waratahs training in Narrabri ahead of their trial match against the Queensland Reds. Credit:Clay Cross/NSW Waratahs

Dad played in France when I was a baby though. Hes brought us up on the French culture.

Whetton confirms there were a few Yorkshire puddings consumed in the UK from 2016 to 2018 before coming back to New Zealand with Super Rugby firmly on his mind.

One quick fact check. While at Yorkshire, Whetton was a hit with fans due to his prolific try-scoring ability, scoring 39 tries in 39 games. At the same time, the fans grew quite frustrated as he also set a club record for dropping the ball over the try-line.

I only scored one or two tries, Whetton says. Theyve pumped up those.

New Waratahs signing Jack Whetton.Credit:NSW Waratahs

After a short stint in Mitre 10 Cup for Auckland, Whetton was picked up by the Highlanders, where he debuted in early 2019.

Last year, he was the Highlanders starting second-rower in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

It was pleasing, Whetton says. You get a few regular starts and you get used to it more and things come more naturally.

What about the yarn that he can bench press 200kg?

Jack Whetton is one of two Kiwi locks who crossed the Tasman to join the Waratahs.Credit:AP

That is true, Whetton says with a grin.

For context, roughly 13 professional rugby players have been known to join the 200kg bench press club. David Pocock was said to have maxed out at 185kg, while Brumbies back-rower Pete Samu can bench about 160kg. The most on record, according to a RugbyPass article, is Ospreys prop Gheorghe Gajion with 230kg.

I was stuck on 190 for ages and then in 2018 I hurt my ankle, Whetton says. I said to the trainer, lets get 200kg. We did heaps of upper body for four weeks. Testosterone flowing, music raging, and I pumped it out. I got the record for Auckland.

When I went for my first training at the Highlanders and we had testing on day one. I did 200kg again and they were like, this boy is a machine. I havent done 200kg since to be fair. Its crazy big. Just hold your breath and rip it.

How do Whettons Tahs teammates fare?

Pound for pound, [back-rower] Carlo Tizzano is a strong little bastard, Whetton says. He loves the pound for pound thing because hes so small.

Ironically, Waratahs coach Rob Penney didnt pick Whetton in his New Zealand under-20s side a few years back but clearly saw value in bringing him to NSW on a two-year deal.

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I didnt really want to travel too far from home given the whole COVID situation, Whetton says. Im excited to give it a crack. I knew they needed some older heads, so I thought it could be a good chance to get some minutes under my belt. I back my knowledge and around the dark arts.

I thought last years Super Rugby AU was fast, blokes ran hard. Sometimes it wasnt the most flash rugby, but it was abrasive.

A few more fact or fictions regarding the final line of the Wikipedia page need checking.

In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing at the beach or eating a chicken wrap at Henriettas in Surry Hills. Many people are tipping him to be vice-captain of the side in 2021.

I do like Clovelly and Bronte, Whetton says. And yes, I have been to Henriettas and I had a nice chicken wrap. I said its quite good and now its on my Wikipedia page. But Im not in the leadership group Im just trying to get in the No.5 jersey for the Waratahs.

Dont believe everything you read.

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Tom Decent is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald

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Wikipedia fact or fiction with the Waratahs recruit who can bench press 200kg - Sydney Morning Herald