1
'I better get back in the gym': Retallick on his battle with Etzebeth
Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth have been locking horns on the international stage for over a decade, each having debuted for their national teams in 2012. In the years since, they’ve wrestled for not just the Freedom Cup but the title of world’s best lock.
ADVERTISEMENT
Both men have one World Cup to their name and represent the very best of their nation’s rugby identity.
The competitive fire between the two has resulted in one or two scuffles, all in the spirit of the game and very much in the spirit of the All Blacks vs Springboks rivalry.
One dust-up in particular on a cool 2013 night saw the young Springbok enforcer and his Kiwi counterpart come face to face, wrapped up in a snarling grapple of rugby royalty.
Reflecting on the iconic picture that came from the skirmish, Retallick shared his initial thought.
“I always look at the size difference of our biceps,” Retallick told The Platform. “His arms compared to mine, I think to myself jeez I better get back in the gym.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s all part of the game, it’s pretty friendly off the field. We have a beer afterwards, I guess we’re just competitive people.
“They’re a good bunch of fellas, it’s one of the good parts about rugby, you battle on the field and enjoy afterwards, it’s always enjoyable.”
Retallick isn’t alone in finding himself in awe of Etzebeth’s arms, the giant lock was so strong that Stormers staff had to order in heavier dumbbells because the biggest they had – 65kg – wasn’t maxing him out. Prior to his shoulder injury, Etzebeth was curling 75kgs.
Retallick’s usual partner in crime, Sam Whitelock, will be absent from the Test as the coaches have opted to give the All Blacks’ second most capped player another week’s rest despite him being declared healthy.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He’s going good,” Retallick said of his lont-time running mate. “I’m not sure, maybe the lack of game time is why he’s not playing but he’s definitely back training and getting amongst it.
“He’s obviously not there this week but no doubt he’ll be raring to go for the Aussie Test.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments