In 2013, he played in all 18 of the Crusaders matches as they were once again eliminated at the semi-final stage by the who went on to defend their title by defeating the in the final. While in 2014 despite competing for a starting place with the likes of; Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Jordan Taufua, Whitelock started a then career high 10 times and scored 2 tries to help the Crusaders make the Super Rugby final where they narrowly went down to the in Sydney, losing 33-32.