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Kiwi fans are worried that Retallick's deal will set a worrying trend
By Josh Raisey
For a long time, the dilemma faced by many All Blacks was choosing between playing for their country and opting for a move abroad.
The Japanese and European leagues offer much more money than New Zealand Rugby can, and the standard of rugby could be less demanding on a player’s body.
However, the lure of the legendary black jersey has kept many players in New Zealand, only to leave when their international days have expired. Usually after a World Cup, or a British and Irish Lions tour - as seen in 2017.
However, the Chiefs’ Brodie Retallick’s new deal could be the beginning of a new trend in New Zealand, whereby players can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The 28-year-old lock will play in Japan for two seasons after the World Cup, therefore missing two Super Rugby campaigns, before returning to New Zealand until 2023. This will make him ineligible to play for the All Blacks while in Japan but ensures he will be back in the Test shake-up following a two-season break.
(Continue reading below...)
The 2014 World Player of the Year said: “I've decided to give my body a break from the New Zealand game so that ultimately I can extend my career here."
This is a similar deal to what his All Blacks team-mate Sam Whitelock signed earlier this year, albeit Whitelock’s deal is shorter and he can still play for the All Blacks while abroad. Both players can effectively reap the rewards of playing in Japan while knowing they will return to the All Blacks.
While many fans on social media feel that Retallick deserves this deal, as he has been one of the best players in the world over the past five years, some feel that this is setting a worrying precedent.
This deal is a sign of the times - that the NZR can no longer retain their players and therefore has to agree to these sabbaticals to ensure the players return.
This is not a new thing in New Zealand. Dan Carter moved to French club Perpignan in 2008 for six months in a very similar deal, and many other players have taken short stints in Japan.
However, the way that Retallick’s deal has been phrased as if he were staying in New Zealand until 2023, has left some journalists in New Zealand questioning whether this can actually be seen as a win for New Zealand and Chiefs rugby as both sides will miss out on his services for two years.
With many All Blacks almost never playing Mitre 10 rugby, and some infrequently playing Super Rugby, some fans on Twitter sense that this is the start of a change in New Zealand rugby where their international players play elsewhere and only return for the All Blacks in a similar way to how the European leagues in football have all the world’s best players.
Ultimately, some feel that the NZR cannot compete with foreign clubs and are therefore becoming more lenient. This is what the fans have said:
Retallick is part of a sizeable cohort of All Blacks that are moving abroad after the World Cup later this year, but the difference is that he - and Whitelock - have agreed to return.
In the long run, this deal may prove beneficial as it could well prolong the lock’s career. But in the meantime, the All Blacks - as will the Super Rugby franchises - will be going through a transitional phase with so many players gone.
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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