>> Sale line up £1m Retallick
SALE SHARKS are in advanced discussions with All Black star Brodie Retallick about one of the most sensational transfers in Premiership history. Retallick, 27, is out of contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union after the World Cup and has been locked in talks with the Sharks about a switch to the North West. The powerful second row, closing in on 100 appearances for the Chiefs, is one of the best lineout operators in the world and was, at 23, the youngest World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014. Retallick’s uncle John Ashworth was a prop who played 24 times for the All Blacks between 1978 and 1985. Retallick will captain Chiefs in the first half of the forthcoming Super Rugby campaign in the absence of his former flatmate Sam Cane.
The Sharks have been in the market for a big-money second row all season and made a huge offer to England star Courtney Lawes before he re-signed with Northampton Saints.
Retallick’s last contract with the NZRU signed in 2015 was worth around £425,000 a year. He can expect a massive increase if he joins the Sharks.
Former All Black Charles Piutau,
below, is currently the highest paid in the Premiership after becoming the first £1ma-year player when he signed for Bristol.
The Sharks are likely to be paying very close to that in order to tempt Retallick into moving for a sabbatical before returning home for the 2023 World Cup.