Sir John Kirwan has warned the Wallabies they’ll face a more potent All Blacks team with Brodie Retallick at his intimidating best.
World class lock Retallick plays his first Test for nearly a year in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.
While lock partner Sam Whitelock will gather more attention in his 100th Test appearance, Kirwan believes it’s the abrasive Retallick who holds the key to unlocking New Zealand’s best rugby.
“I just think he’s a legend of our game. He’s the greatest all-round footballer in the world, I believe,” Kirwan told Sky TV’s Breakdown show.
“When he’s in this rampaging mood, swatting people off, hitting rucks and really hurting people, I just think he’s a real x-factor that we haven’t seen with any consistency in the last 12 months.”
Retallick’s last Test was the 57-0 trouncing of South Africa in Albany in which he starred last September.
He missed the rest of the Rugby Championship, the loss to Australia in the dead rubber third Test and a November tour of Europe to grieve the death of his unborn son.
Injury sidelined Retallick from the June Test series against France, when his spot was admirably filled by Scott Barrett – a contender for player of the series.
However, there is little doubt the towering Chiefs hard man will be reunited with Whitelock for his 69th Test.
Kirwan believes the 27-year-old brings an edge which intimidates opponents and offers a follow-me figure to his teammates.
“If he played in the 60s and 70s, he’d be the guy to start the fight all the time,” Kirwan said.
“He’s just angry with everything that he does.”
Nomad
Guest
ALB is best used of the bench cos he is equally comfortable at inside and outside centre and has covered wing when things get desperate on injury list. Realistically he will cover Crotty at first sign of a head knock...
Old Bugger
Guest
It's been a while, since we've seen this pack start so I'm sure, there's a bit of aggro just waiting to be unleashed. Good to see BR back in the 2nd row so, I have similar sentiments to Sir JK about how he is going to go. The WB's will have a decent sized pack if, MC's selections trend in that direction - which they should as one would think because the AB's are certainly providing height and grunt, amongst their lot. It'll will be a doozy on Sat nite.....can't wait.
Riccardo
Guest
Man, that's a helluva bench...
Riccardo
Guest
"He’s the greatest all-round footballer in the world, I believe". Yeah, I'll pay that...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yea I had ALB otherwise predictable lineup. Jordie? was out of form, not playing back three, and unlike BB is not an AB great. Cant see how he could possibly be selected in this side.
Ben
Guest
Ben Smith Naholo Ioane Goodhue Crotty B. Barrett A. Smith Read Squire Cane S.Whitelock Rettallick Franks Taylor Moody Tu'inukuafe Tu'ungafase Harris Savea S. Barrett Perenara Mckenzie Lienart-Brown Surprised they didnt go Jordy Smith Ioane back 3. I also prefer ALB at centre. Either way no issues.