‘I’m not gonna lie…’: Ex-All Black Brodie Retallick on playing the Boks

Former All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has briefly looked back at his own experiences of playing against the Springboks ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster bout between two of international rugby’s heavyweight contenders.

On Saturday evening at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, the All Blacks will look to overcome the might of the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champion Springboks in front of a crowd of about 60,000 rugby-mad fans.

South African journalists have warned this writer about what to expect from the crowd this weekend. It’ll be loud, passionate and at times chaotic as those who call South Africa home look to play their part in a crucial Rugby Championship clash.

2015 Rugby World Cup winner Brodie Retallick is no stranger to this rivalry. The towering second rower played the Springboks on more than 10 occasions, including some famous battles at the cathedral of rugby union that is Emirates Airline Park.

“There was always a little bit of nervousness, I’m not gonna lie,” Retallick said on SENZ Breakfast. “It’s going to be one hell of a battle, I think.

“The Johannesburg Test for me was built up with so much anticipation because the Boks didn’t take us there for a number of years.

“It’s one of the most special places to play. I’m excited for the Test match come Sunday morning so I’m looking forward to seeing it play out.”

The teams are in. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the hosts’ matchday 23 on Tuesday, with the team making a fairly significant alteration by recalling lock Eben Etzebeth to the bench after he overcame a minor knee injury.

Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Siya Kolisi will captain a star-studded side on Saturday, with others in the First XV including the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach and Ox Nche.

Then, there’s the All Blacks. On a surprisingly cold Thursday morning in Johannesburg, the All Blacks unveiled their team, with coach Scott Robertson fronting the press shortly after. TJ Perenara and Codie Taylor followed after being named in the starting lineup.

Perenara will partner Damian McKenzie in the halves once again, while ‘Razor’ Robertson made a series of unsurprising selections in the backs. But in the forwards, captain Scott Barrett is back and so is former skipper Sam Cane.

Cane returned to the Test arena off the bench in the recent win over Argentina at Eden Park, but the backrower has been named in the starting side for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup Final. Retallick expects Cane to “prove his point” on Saturday.

It’s important that Cane does, with the entire forward pack needing to lay down a marker both at the set-piece and around the park if the All Blacks are  chance of recording what many would consider an upset.

“(When) the Boks are coming at you, you know it. It’s going to be a real Test for the All Blacks this week to see where they’re at,” Retallick explained.

“You know they’re coming set-piece wise, especially scrum and lineout maul. Like you say, they just run straight and they run hard and you’ve got to be up for the battle.

“There’s generally not too much said out there but you just know that they are coming in your face and if they start getting quick ball then they’re running straight down your channel.

“The battle of the ruck and the battle of the gain line this weekend is probably more important than ever.

“Obviously, we’ve talked about the set-piece and know that’s coming. I’ve said discipline is a massive one.,” he added later.

“Think back to the World Cup Final… in a place like Joburg, there’s the opportunity to run and chance your arm whether it’s slightly inside your own half then you’ve got to be able to be prepared and willing to take those opportunities.

“When you get the opportunity to run them round, that’s when the opportunity to put points on the board is.”