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All Blacks centurion Retallick set to leave New Zealand rugby - report
By Finn Morton
All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick will play his final test in the coveted black jersey at this year’s World Cup, according to a report out of New Zealand.
As reported by Stuff, the star lock will return to his old Japanese club Kobelco Kobe Steelers on a three-year deal.
Since making his international debut against Ireland in 2012, Retallick has become a mainstay of the All Blacks’ matchday squads; soaring to legendary status throughout his decorated career.
To this day, Retallick is the only second-rower in history to win World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year, having been recognised for his sensational 2014 campaign in black.
When it’s all said and done, the World Cup winner will go down in history as one of the greatest second rowers in the history of the game – alongside the likes of Colin Meades and Martin Johnson.
While Retallick has previously suggested that 2023 will be his final campaign at test level, the news will undoubtedly come as a major blow to New Zealand rugby.
“I haven’t put anything in concrete,” Retallick told Stuff in June.
“I probably couldn’t see myself going another four years to try and do another World Cup (after 2023).
“So we’ll wait and see what happens. I haven’t made any definite plans yet, but we’ll weigh it up next year.”
If rumours are to be believed, then season could be quite entertaining for fans of the Kobe Steelers and Japanese rugby.
According to The Roar earlier this month, former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was close to signing with the Japanese for after the World Cup.
Rennie is of course a free agent at the moment, after he was sensationally axed as the Wallabies’ head coach on Monday morning.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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