Retallick rested for safety reasons
The hits keep coming for the All Blacks.
In the wake of Ben Smith’s concussion for the Highlanders against the Crusaders and with Hurricanes rake Dane Coles yet to suit up after nearly three months on the sidelines, Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick is now out of this Friday’s clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington after he complained of a headache on Monday. The news is far from what All Blacks coach Steve Hansen needs to hear ahead of tomorrow’s naming of the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks squads in Auckland.
The All Blacks lock suffered a knock against the Waratahs on Saturday night and has been withdrawn from selection for the standalone round 16 Super clash against the Hurricanes, though coach Dave Rennie is hopeful it will not be a major issue for Retallick, with the All Blacks due to face Manu Samoa on June 16.
“He took a knock, obviously, in the weekend and he still had a headache on Monday, so not enough time to pass the protocols. He’s out for the weekend,” Rennie said at yesterday’s media session.
“He did pass the test and we could have put him back on, but we erred on the side of caution there, so I’m happy we did that. He said he’s not feeling too bad, but we’re not going to risk that. It’s a real pity, he’s massive for us, obviously, just all the grunt work that he does. It just means an opportunity for someone else, and they’re going to have to step up.”
With Taleni Seu also out injured for several weeks, the replacement is likely to be Michael Allardice, not long back from a medium-term injury. He should partner Dominic Bird.
Retallick is not the sole injury concern for Rennie, who is still missing Sam McNicol with concussion symptoms and now Toni Pulu with a hamstring pull. Charlie Ngatai is possible for Friday night, but was sick yesterday.
There were several walking Brodie Retallick is unavailable for the Chiefs for the match against the Hurricanes on Friday. wounded on the sidelines of Chiefs training.
The Chiefs’ 46-31 victory against the Waratahs may sound like a romp but there were some battered and bruised bodies, among them loosehead prop Kane Hames, who should be named in at least one of the squads tomorrow.
“There was quite a bit of contact — a few of the boys have facial features that have changed a bit,” quipped Hames, who said it would be more of the same in the capital.
“The Hurricanes and the Chiefs are two teams that don’t necessarily seem to get on as well as they possibly could. The Hurricanes have a lot of tactics around their line speed and being as physical as possible and the way they defend at mauls.”
The winner of the game may well secure that coveted second berth in the New Zealand conference and the easier quarter-final in Australia next month.