'I didn't have to do much work for it': Retallick downplays try
Retaining the Bledisloe Cup before heading over to Australia was always on the All Blacks‘ wish list, and after Saturday night’s 57-22 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park, that is now reality with the prized possession safe for another year.
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who knows of nothing other than Bledisloe Cup success since the start of his career, was glad to have sealed the deal for another season without taking the series to a deciding test in Perth.
“It’s awesome to lock it up. To do it before heading to Perth in New Zealand is something that was a goal we wanted to do before hopping on the plane,” Retallick told media following the win.
“I thought it was a great Bledisloe test tonight. Australia really come out of the gates in the first 50-60 minutes so that was pleasing.”
Retallick has had some of his career highlights in Bledisloe Cup test matches, famously scoring from a 40 metre run in Sydney a few years ago which was voted World Rugby’s Try of the Year in 2018.
After originally getting the turnover at the ruck, the 30-yea-old got the ball on the left edge after his side ran it out of their half through Beauden Barrett.
Throwing a dummy to Bernard Foley, Retallick galloped away with his arm raised triumphantly in the air.
On whether his latest try was as good as one from a few years ago, the 85-test international was reluctant to say so as he “didn’t have to do much work” after loose forward Akira Ioane created the break down the left edge.
After some quick hands from Damian McKenzie, Retallick had an open line in front of him to score the try.
“Well I didn’t have to do much work for it,” he said of his latest effort, “Akira did all the work, but it’s nice to get a meat pie again, that’s for sure.”
The try was reminiscent of some of the runs Retallick made in the Top League earlier this year, where his athletic frame was used out side in an offload-friendly game plan at the Kobelco Steelers.
After his time playing in Japan, Retallick said he is relishing being back home playing for the All Blacks.
“Just being back in New Zealand and playing for the All Blacks is awesome. I think you can see it from the sideline, the boys are just enjoying have great fun out there tonight. There’s still things to tidy up and get better but playing Bledisloe test matches is pretty awesome and I’m loving being back.”
Despite discipline issues last week, the All Blacks coaches were reluctant to make changes to the run-on side in the forward pack, as loose forwards Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea and front rowers George Bower, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala played their second test in a row together.
Retallick said he has been impressed with the “outstanding” form of Akira Ioane, who has given the All Blacks consistent, strong carries alongside No 8 Ardie Savea.
“Last week I thought he was outstanding, and again tonight with plenty of ball-in-hand,” Retallick said of Ioane.
“He’s taken his opportunity, and when you’ve got loose forwards puncturing the backs in the outside channel, it makes it easier through the middle.
“It’s awesome to watch, and like you say, I’m sure he’s going to keep building on it and we’ve got plenty of challenges ahead of us for the rest of the test year.”
Retallick paired with long-time lock partner Sam Whitelock in the second row as the pack looked to lift their performance following the inaccuracy issues that were prevalent in the first test, something that Retallick himself contributed to as the most penalised man in the All Blacks.
“Last week we gave them a lot of opportunities through our discipline, especially in the forward pack around our offsides and our set piece penalties. It wasn’t a massive thing to tidy up but there was a lot of them last week,” he said.
“We worked hard all week at that and the Wallabies threw a lot more at us up front early on, which I thought was pleasing, we absorbed a little bit.
“Especially around our lineout defence and coming off the line. There were still periods where they carried through us, probably a bit too softly, but I thought it was a step up for the forward pack moving forward.
“Like you say, we’ve got a week off and then to Perth. That’s going to be another challenge but what is more pleasing is what we put on the park tonight compared to last week.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments