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Kiwi fans are worried that Retallick's deal will set a worrying trend
For a long time, the dilemma faced by many All Blacks was choosing between playing for their country and opting for a move abroad.
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The Japanese and European leagues offer much more money than New Zealand Rugby can, and the standard of rugby could be less demanding on a player’s body.
However, the lure of the legendary black jersey has kept many players in New Zealand, only to leave when their international days have expired. Usually after a World Cup, or a British and Irish Lions tour – as seen in 2017.
However, the Chiefs’ Brodie Retallick’s new deal could be the beginning of a new trend in New Zealand, whereby players can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The 28-year-old lock will play in Japan for two seasons after the World Cup, therefore missing two Super Rugby campaigns, before returning to New Zealand until 2023. This will make him ineligible to play for the All Blacks while in Japan but ensures he will be back in the Test shake-up following a two-season break.
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The 2014 World Player of the Year said: “I’ve decided to give my body a break from the New Zealand game so that ultimately I can extend my career here.”
This is a similar deal to what his All Blacks team-mate Sam Whitelock signed earlier this year, albeit Whitelock’s deal is shorter and he can still play for the All Blacks while abroad. Both players can effectively reap the rewards of playing in Japan while knowing they will return to the All Blacks.
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While many fans on social media feel that Retallick deserves this deal, as he has been one of the best players in the world over the past five years, some feel that this is setting a worrying precedent.
This deal is a sign of the times – that the NZR can no longer retain their players and therefore has to agree to these sabbaticals to ensure the players return.
This is not a new thing in New Zealand. Dan Carter moved to French club Perpignan in 2008 for six months in a very similar deal, and many other players have taken short stints in Japan.
However, the way that Retallick’s deal has been phrased as if he were staying in New Zealand until 2023, has left some journalists in New Zealand questioning whether this can actually be seen as a win for New Zealand and Chiefs rugby as both sides will miss out on his services for two years.
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With many All Blacks almost never playing Mitre 10 rugby, and some infrequently playing Super Rugby, some fans on Twitter sense that this is the start of a change in New Zealand rugby where their international players play elsewhere and only return for the All Blacks in a similar way to how the European leagues in football have all the world’s best players.
Ultimately, some feel that the NZR cannot compete with foreign clubs and are therefore becoming more lenient. This is what the fans have said:
https://twitter.com/JimKayes/status/1138596089185984513?s=20
Anyone who doubts that retention is getting more and more difficult each year for NZ Rugby needs look no further than this 👇sign of the times https://t.co/SiuyzJlLS9
— Liam Napier (@liamnapiernz) June 11, 2019
Sabaticals! The new way of keeping big names in the national set ups. Requires compromise, a well-communicated plan and a player+organization who's willing to honor their word. Here's to more. Will cricket catch on? https://t.co/dVtull3KP6
— Tom Dawson-Squibb (@TheSportingMind) June 12, 2019
I could see the All Blacks becoming the only team the top players play for, for sure. But I don't think the other levels will disappear, they'll become feeder leagues kinda like the D-League etc and you'll get the best players being picked up by the level above.
— Jeff Cheshire (@jeff_cheshire) June 12, 2019
Not really a deal with NZR is it, it’s a deal with Japan for two years.
— Simon Howard (@sihoward1) June 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/dbp_sydney/status/1138616933597601792?s=20
https://twitter.com/NZ_Dave/status/1138613858665320448?s=20
Retallick is part of a sizeable cohort of All Blacks that are moving abroad after the World Cup later this year, but the difference is that he – and Whitelock – have agreed to return.
In the long run, this deal may prove beneficial as it could well prolong the lock’s career. But in the meantime, the All Blacks – as will the Super Rugby franchises – will be going through a transitional phase with so many players gone.
WATCH: Episode six of Don’t Mess with Jim, the weekly RugbyPass series hosted by former Scotland international Hamilton
Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments