Retallick: Why I said no to slot at Chiefs
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has revealed why he turned down a return to the Chiefs for next month’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
Retallick was among the many New Zealand players who returned home from Japan when the Top League season was cancelled due to Covid-19.
The 28-year-old is contracted with New Zealand Rugby until 2023, but took a two-year sabbatical to play for the Kobelco Steelers in Japan in 2020 and 2021.
Retallickand other top returning players such as Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo and Ryan Crotty are under contract overseas and would require New Zealand Super Rugby sides to cover insurance costs to play in the Aotearoa campaign.
However, the Chiefs approached Retallick about potentially re-joining the franchise but he instead opted for an extended break.
“The Chiefs did approach me, but one of the reasons I wanted to stay [playing] in Japan and do these couple of seasons was just to have a break — a bit of time with the family with a long offseason, and give the body a bit of a break,” he told The Country radio programme.
Retallick also poked fun at Chiefs coach Warren Gatland for suggesting he was spending his break on a Hawke’s Bay farm.
“Warren Gatland chucked it out there that I wasn’t going to play Super Rugby and that I was spending some time on my Hawke’s Bay farm, but I can clarify that. I own a property in Hawke’s Bay but it’s only about 1500 square metres, so it’s no farm,” Retallick said with a laugh.
“I’m sure the footy is going to be good viewing with Super Rugby Aotearoa, it’s going to be tough, but living in the Hawke’s Bay I decided not to chuck the boots on for the Chiefs this season and just enjoy a bit of a longer break.”
Retallick is also open about changes to test rugby in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it could be a good opportunity to trial new ideas.
“One thing that opened my eyes playing in Japan was how good a bit of a change of scenery and change in competition was. It brings some excitement to it [the game] and some unknown.”