The All Blacks will wear the RSA poppy on their sleeves when they play France on Armistice Day this weekend - a gesture that means a lot to Sam Whitelock.
Whitelock shared his grandfather's courageous story as serving his country both as a soldier in World War II and as an All Black afterwards.
Nelson Dalzell played 22 matches for the All Blacks at lock but didn't earn his debut until he was 32, having finally overcome his injuries from fighting in the Pacific.
"He was injured early on in one of the battles and had a lot of shrapnel in the lower part of his legs and back," Whitelock said.
"They wanted to amputate his leg but he wouldn't let them and there was a big argument that went on because he was a young, promising rugby player - long story short, they didn't amputate it but in later life he was lucky enough to play for Canterbury and then make his international debut for the All Blacks.
"The story goes that he had a hole in the front part of his leg that he used to put a little bit of wood in, he'd strap that on and that's how he played all his games."
As well as wearing the poppy on their sleeves, members of the All Blacks will also pay their respects at a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The All Blacks play France on Sunday morning in Paris at 8:45 NZT.
SHARE ME