Career
He was an extremely powerful scrummager, but was not seen as skillful as the pre-war players produced by Wales. As a fitter in the Newport Docks, local dock team Pill Harriers was a natural choice to take on the front row skills of Whitfield. The Harriers, although seen as a lower league team, provided many Welsh players, especially front row hardmen like Whitfield.
In 1919 he was selected for the Wales to face the touring New Zealand Services team
In the 1922 Five Nations Championship, Whitfield was the leading try scorer of the tournament with four tries one against England and France, and two against Ireland. In the 1924 Championship, in a game against Scotland, Whitfield was given the captaincy for Wales.
Wales lost the match heavily, with Scotland running in eight tries, it was Whitfield"s only time as captain. He died on Boxing Day 1927 at the Royal Gwent Hospital after a gastric ulcer operation.
International matches played Wales
England 1920, 1921, 1922
France 1920, 1922
Ireland 1920, 1922, 1924
New Zealand New Zealand Services 1919
Scotland 1920, 1922, 1924.
