Brodie Retallick set for extended Super Rugby sideline stint

Injured Chiefs co-captain Brodie Retallick has been ruled out of Super Rugby for a further three weeks.

Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper confirmed the news on Tuesday as his side prepare to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin this weekend.

Retallick hasn't featured for the Chiefs since he tore ligaments in his wrist during his side's 33-29 win over the Blues in Hamilton three weeks ago.

At the time of the injury, Chiefs assistant coach Tabai Matson was confident that the 27-year-old would recover in time to face the Hurricanes in Wellington last weekend, but it appears it is taking longer than expected for the second rower to return to the field.

"Brodie's probably another three weeks away, so we're looking at probably the Reds," Cooper said.

The Chiefs host the Reds at Waikato Stadium on May 24.

Retallick's extended period on the sideline will be a cause for concern for All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, with the 73-test veteran firmly etched in New Zealand's World Cup plans.

He joins Dane Coles (calf), Sonny Bill Williams, Damian McKenzie, Liam Squire, Waisake Naholo (all knee), Owen Franks, Nehe Milner-Skudder (both shoulder) and Sam Cane (neck) in the All Blacks' casualty ward.

McKenzie's and Cane's injuries have already heavily-affected the Chiefs so far this season, with the former out until next year's Super Rugby campaign due to a ruptured ACL.

The latter is yet to feature after breaking his neck while playing for the All Blacks against the Springboks last October.

Their absences at various stages of the year have left Cooper's men floundering in second-last place with just three wins from 10 matches.

Currently suffering a two-match losing streak, the Chiefs will look to turn things around against the eighth-placed Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

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