Rugby: Sam Whitelock coy on return for Ireland test

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Black lock Sam Whitelock is giving away little in terms of his availability to face Ireland this weekend in Dublin.

Whitelock is rehabilitating an ankle injury suffered against Australia last month that's seen him miss the first two tests on the end of year tour.

Whitelock has told media there's a few boxes he needs to tick in the next day or so.

The All Blacks team is named on Thursday.