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All Blacks stars Barrett, Smith and Retallick set to leave NZ Rugby
Three modern day All Blacks greats are set to continue their rugby careers in Japan following this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
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Star duo Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett have signed with Japan Rugby League One side Toyota Verblitz, while lock Brodie Retallick has reportedly put pen to paper with Kobe Steelers.
The Highlanders made the announcement about their star halfback on Tuesday, where they confirmed in a statement that Smith had signed a “long-term contract” with the Japanese club.
However, as for Barrett, the New Zealand Rugby Union are reportedly intent on luring the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year back home in the future.
✨WELCOME to TOYOTA VERBLITZ✨
⭐️ ?????????
?Beauden Barrett???????SO/FB
??/???187cm/91kg
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New Zealand?Cap:112
New Zealand 2012 – Present
Blues 2020 – Present
Taranaki 2010 – Present🗣????https://t.co/6AMjHK8qpe#?????????? pic.twitter.com/CdKWRlYN5s
— ?????????? TOYOTA VERBLITZ (@toyotaverblitz) February 7, 2023
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Smith and Barrett both played an integral role in the All Blacks’ stunning Rugby World Cup triumph in 2015, and a more than lived up to the moniker of legends since.
Both players will go down in history as two of the most successful All Blacks of all time, having become the most-capped backs in New Zealand Rugby history.
Smith played his 114th Test match in the black jersey during last year’s end-of-season tour, while Barrett is currently equal-second with legendary first-five Dan Carter on 112 caps.
Reflecting on his time in New Zealand, scrumhalf Smith expressed how thankful he was to have been given the opportunity to live out his “dream.”
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“From the time I signed my first contract in 2008 until now, I have been living my dream,” Smith said in a statement.
“I have been blessed to represent my home with the Manawatu Turbos, who helped me chase my dream of being a Super Rugby player.
“I have to say a big thanks to the Highlanders for believing in me. I have done it all with that team and they have always been there for me.
✨WELCOME to TOYOTA VERBLITZ✨
⭐️ ????????
?Aaron Smith???????SH
??/???171cm/83kg
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New ZealandCap:114
New Zealand 2012 ?Present
Highlanders 2011 – Present
Manawatu 2008 – Present🗣????https://t.co/IV1lyZb9pm#?????????? pic.twitter.com/02q6Pa4uxV
— ?????????? TOYOTA VERBLITZ (@toyotaverblitz) February 7, 2023
“Thank you to every Highlanders player, staff member and fa. You have given me everything and more in the 13 years we have had together.”
Some truly gifted players have donned the coveted black jersey over the years, but not everyone has been able to revolutionise their position like Aaron Smith.
As Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody said, Smith “defined halfback play” throughout his time with the Turbos, Highlanders and All Blacks.
“Aaron has defined halfback play and the way we like to play the game, fast, skilled and determined for so long it’s hard to imagine a team sheet without his name on it,” Dermody said.
“As a team, we can only thank him for all that he has done for us and wish him, Teagan and his family all the best for the future.”
As for Brodie Retallick, the 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year will reportedly head back to Japan for his second stint with the Kobe Steelers.
It was reported last month that Retallick was set to play his final Test match in the black jersey this year, before heading back overseas.
According to Newshub, the official announcement about the star locks departure will happen soon.
Comments on RugbyPass
I still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
1 Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
2 Go to commentsThere is some talent coming thru thats for sure. The 10 looks special to me. Rico Simpson is a name to look for in the future.
1 Go to commentsI think this quiet honestly is just an innocent misunderstanding by someone who is pig sh*t stupid. Eben is a fine player but by christ, if he can’t understand or get what the Irish players were trying to say to him after the match…..well i hope he has someone looking after his finances, career and is reading the fine print for him, cause life after rugby may be quite difficult for the vacuous echo chamber.
27 Go to commentsIt could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
27 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
27 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
27 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
27 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
27 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
91 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
27 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
27 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
27 Go to commentsHi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
91 Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
2 Go to comments