Brodie Retallick a Rugby World Cup doubt after brutal ruck injury

Doubt has been cast on Brodie Retallick’s Rugby World Cup participation after he appeared to suffer a nasty shoulder during New Zealand’s Rugby Championship match with South Africa in Wellington.

The All Blacks and the Springboks drew the match 16 – 16 in front a sold-out Westpac Stadium, but the potential loss of the secondrow will be riding high in Steve Hansen’s thoughts.

Retallick was left clutching his shoulder after a clearout at a ruck by Springbok lock RG Snyman in the 60th minute.

The Chiefs lock – clearly in a significant amount of pain – was attended to by medics but was soon removed from the field before being replaced by hooker Dane Coles.

https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1155040417320263682
https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1155041809594232832
https://twitter.com/thedeadballarea/status/1155047986038267904

Nasty looking injury for Brodie Retallick in the All Blacks v SA test. The ruck he got injured in had 7 players in. 6, arguably 7 were on the floor before reticl was taken out from the side. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/n0pxRj006N

— Ben Ryan (@benjaminryan) July 27, 2019

Retallick was playing his 200th first-class match.

His loss would represent a massive blow for the All Blacks going into the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

A Rugby World Cup 2015 winner and the New Zealand and World Player of The Year in 2014, 28-year-old Retallick is now into his eighth season of professional rugby and been a powerhouse player ever since making his professional debut as a 21-year-old in 2012.

He played his 75th Test in the last game of 2018 and was one of a number of recent leading players who have committed long-term to New Zealand Rugby.

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In 2018 former England fullback Ben Foden shocked the rugby world when he confirmed a switch to the newly formed Rugby United New York and Major League Rugby, America’s latest professional rugby venture.