Whitelock, who is making his 97th test appearance and is standing in for regular captain Kieran Read, has not played since May 12 due to concussion symptoms.
"I've had a couple of weeks where I haven't played," Whitelock said. "It's frustrating, I always want to be out there if I'm 100 percent fit or even if I'm not.
"At times I'm going to be blowing hard but I think that's normal no matter where you are in a test match."