Retallick showing new respect for Jones’ ‘assets’
Even Donald, though, would not try to claim that 2011 finale was in any way pretty. New Zealand were “massively under the pump” as the French mounted a second-half comeback. They practically fell over the line in the end.
Donald fancies this year’s showpiece is going to be a lot prettier. “I can’t remember rugby looking as good as it does at the moment,” he says. “It’s just brilliant to watch. It’s going to be a massive game against England.”
Donald, who is working for the New Zealand rights holder, Spark TV, at this World Cup, takes a sip of his drink in our cafe in Shinjuku.
The man affectionately nicknamed “Beaver” for his protruding teeth growing up in the little country town of Waiuku is loving what he is seeing in Japan; the contrasting styles of play, the ingenious methods teams have found to beat the rush defence.
Donald is well placed to comment. The 35-year-old scored more than 100 points in 25 appearances for the All Blacks in Tokyo
Five years ago, Brodie Retallick was asked whether he knew any members of the England touring party who had arrived in New Zealand for a three-test series.
“A couple,” he said. When asked to name an individual, he paused before venturing: “Michael Laws,” apparently confusing Courtney Lawes, the Northampton lock, with the former Mayor of Whanganui. Retallick did not appreciate being reminded of that episode yesterday. “Is that supposed to be humorous? I made a mistake, called them the wrong name, the name of a New Zealand politician. Good on you.”
Certainly, he knows who England’s players are now ahead of their World Cup semi-final, and not just because they represent the next hurdle in front of the All Blacks’ attempt to win three World Cups in a row. The threat posed by their physicality is all too real.
“We have great respect for all the players out there,” Retallick said.
Ready for battle: Brodie Retallick’s knowledge of his next opponent is much improved
“We know who they are and we know what they’re about. They are a very good English team and they’ve got great attacking assets. We know they are always physical. Got a big forward pack, who are very mobile, carry the ball well and have good skill-sets. Their backs play a pretty expansive game.”
Having been limited to just half an hour of rugby in the pool stage, against Namibia, Retallick played 57 minutes of New Zealand’s 46-14 quarter-final defeat of Ireland on Saturday. He is one of those players whose contributions are hard to quantify by statistics alone. The post-match data revealed he made only four tackles and eight carries for nine metres. What they did not show was the amount of rucks he cleared in attack, guaranteeing
New Zealand the quick ball they thrive off, or how disruptive his presence was at Irish breakdowns.
Ahead of his 80th Test on Saturday, Retallick has suffered just four defeats in an eight-year international career. The one he remembers the most came in 2012 when the All Blacks were beaten up by a rampaging Manu Tuilagi and a hyper-charged English pack.
“Who turns up up front and wins that physical battle generally comes out on top,” he said. “I’m guessing it’ll happen again this weekend.”