Retallick set to return for Chiefs
Ask others at the Chiefs and the answer may differ markedly, but Brodie Retallick maintains he’s been basically innocent in the department of ‘team pest’, in his recovery from his longest-term injury.
The world-class second-rower was said to have been described at All Blacks camp as ‘a pain in the backside’, by coach Steve Hansen during last month’s test series against France, such is his detest of not playing, and his wont of cheeky banter.
Now it’s back at his Super Rugby club where the 27-year-old has been biding his time in getting over his pectoral problem, and, apparently, keeping out of mischief, ahead of his return to the fray in Friday’s final-round match against the Hurricanes in Hamilton.
‘‘Not a big one’’ was Retallick’s version on how much of a pain he’d been.
‘‘Last week was the first time I really got to train with the team. I’ve been with the other return-toplay boys. It’s been good fun.
‘‘I generally just use my time out of the game in terms of injury just to get right out, do my work and just chill out at home with the family.’’
It was rough timing for injury to strike just as the season was heating up, with Retallick suffering the setback in the Chiefs’ match against the Crusaders in Hamilton on June 2
‘‘It’s just a little bone in the shoulder, called a coracoid, that had a fracture, which is attached to your pec and your bicep,’’ Retallick said.
‘‘There’s not much you can do about it, and to be fair, out of the seven years, this is my worst one. So touch wood it stays this way. ‘‘The actual running’s all right, but I don’t know when it comes to a bit of pushing and getting up off the ground, I’d say the lungs might be hanging out on Friday night,’’ Retallick said, adding he was unsure on the amount of minutes he’ll play.