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Brodie Retallick weighs in on AB rumours amid Dave Rennie appointment

Brodie Retallick of New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between New Zealand and Namibia at Stadium de Toulouse on September 15, 2023 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

109-Test All Black lock Brodie Retallick has been among the biggest talking points out of the appointment of new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, after the never-ending eligibility conversation came up at NZR headquarters last week.

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Rennie and NZR Chair David Kirk spoke to media in Auckland on Wednesday last week, where the current Kobelco Kobe Steelers head coach was announced as Scott Robertson’s successor.

The new All Blacks head-honcho was asked by media about where he stands on whether Kiwi players should be eligible to be selected while playing overseas.

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Rennie opted to use a current example as his reply, referring to Retallick, who he coaches in Japan at the Kobe Steelers.

Retallick is currently the top try-scorer in the Japan Rugby League One competition, and is off contract at the end of the 2026 season, meaning a return to New Zealand could technically be a possibility.

Speaking to D’Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk on Newstalk ZB, the former Chiefs lock talked about what sort of motivator Dave Rennie is as a coach.

“I think he’s got clear expectations from his players, and I guess I still have the drive to perform and want to perform my best, but like a Rennie has always done, and has always said, I’ll coach you good or bad and keep challenging you,” Retallick said.

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“And I think as I’ve got older, especially as an older player, a coach that keeps challenging you to be better, and wanting to be better plays a massive part in the game.”

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On whether Retallick had heard Rennie’s comments at the press conference, the 34-year-old explains it was actually his mother who alerted him to the discussions.

“Yeah, I even had my mum text me about that, so he’s kind of throwing me out there.”

The Kobe Steelers lock does admit he’s put little to no thought into returning to New Zealand Rugby or the All Blacks, but said if the rules change, there could be a conversation there.

“But honestly, I put no consideration to it, to be fair like under the current rules and when I left New Zealand Rugby, I knew that you couldn’t be picked from abroad, and I was happy with that.

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“So I haven’t put much considerate. If it changes, then maybe it’s a conversation. But as of now, I think it’s probably all hearsay, until there’s actually a platform place.”

“Guzzler”, as some like to call him, told Waldegrave that one of the main reasons he left New Zealand was the lengthy recovery period compared to Super Rugby Pacific.

“I mean, I’ve really benefited from having a longer off season in Japan and giving my body time to recover after each season over here, we’re playing four week blocks and then having a bye week.

“So it’s probably the thing I found that held me back, or as I left New Zealand Rugby as I got a little bit older, I just didn’t recover as quick.

“And I think probably the major benefit of having my body where it is and being able to keep up with some of these quicker players over here is, is that recovery time.

“So yeah, I know, to be honest, it’s a massive question mark there, whether I was still good enough if the thing was to happen.”

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14 Comments
F
Footy Franks 33 days ago

Retallick one of the all time greats but he probably has timed out of the All Blacks, it would be mentally tough to return but he could for sure and Rennie seems to want him back as they are lacking leaders. If he is keen he’d be a great captain.

B
Bazzallina 33 days ago

Im getting more than a feeling there will be a change in the eligibility rules coming up soon 75 Tests and or 150 combined Super and or NPC natches ?

G
GS 33 days ago

The challenge for the NZRFU is that this is the 2nd AB coach in a row, basically saying that we don’t have the playing depth in NZ. Must say though, would have considered Lock to be one of our strongest in terms of depth vs. Six or 10 etc.


Real tragedy for NZ that the likes of Dalton P, Fehi Fineanganofo, AJ Lam, and now Walker-L are leaving NZ post this season - would think that Fineanganofo would be in AB conversations and, along with Caleb T, C Clarke, building real strength there.


It would be interesting to see how NZRFU approaches this, given two coaches are in effect saying there are better players offshore vs. dealing with fall-out if they do make changes to selection policy -more players offshore?


NZRFU are between a rock and a hard place really - if you want the strongest AB team/squad - pretty clear need to change in selection criteria vs. game in NZ, and the potential effect that would have on existing players and their decision to stay or go.

B
Bazzallina 33 days ago

Fehi only young wouldn’t be surprised to see him come back to these shores at some point

S
SC 33 days ago

The overseas policy does not have to change to get Retallick or Shannon Frizell to be playing for the All Blacks in 2026 as both players are off contract at the end of this June. All NZR need to do is sign them both to 18 month contracts to the end of 2027 as Richie Mo’unga did.


In terms of whether they need to play NPC first before playing for All Blacks, that rule is easily changed to ensure all players are available to go on the SA Tour in August.

H
Hammer Head 33 days ago

He’s gone from “my body is done” to he’s open to “a conversation”.


Some flowers, some wine, another log on the fire. Seems like Rennie will get his man if he keeps it up.


But will those pesky NZR execs spoil the whole affair?

S
SB 34 days ago

“Yeah, I even had my mum text me about that, so he’s kind of throwing me out there.”

Interesting that Rennie didn’t speak to Retallick about anything before talking about bringing him back.


“I mean, I’ve really benefited from having a longer off season in Japan and giving my body time to recover after each season over here, we’re playing four week blocks and then having a bye week.”

This is excellent for players who can focus on their test careers primarily, no wonder many older Springboks go there.

J
JW 34 days ago

It was just from some questions around quality I think. He wasn’t talking about bringing him back, rather talking about the value of JRLO. His original comments were along the lines of eligiblity, so there was no “coming back”, it was following interviews where he made that distinction.


Unlike Richie if he did sign he would also qualify to be eligbile immediately given his loyalty. Remember Richie refused to sign the 3 year option that would make him available straight away.

J
JW 34 days ago

Would be a great asset down at the Highlanders with two of the best young big men in a long time coming through in close development.

M
MM 34 days ago

He wouldn’t go anywhere except his beloved Chiefs!

S
SB 34 days ago

They are learning from Lavanini at the moment….

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