New challenge for Retallick

Editor

World Rugby Player of 2014 Brodie Retallick has set himself a challenge to improve next year in Chiefs and New Zealand colours.

World Rugby Player of the Year Brodie Retallick has set himself a challenge to improve his game next year in both Chiefs and New Zealand colours.

The 23-year-old second-row saw off Duane Vermeuelen, Julian Savea, Willie le Roux and Jonathan Sexton to lift the gong on Saturday.

And after receiving the award, lock Retallick reflected on what has been an excellent campaign, both personally and for his country.

“You can’t drink out of it, it is just a little plaque but at the same time I will put it up on the mantelpiece, pretty proudly,” he explained to Fairfax.

“Heading into this year I just wanted to improve and obviously I didn’t think it would go this well.

“It’s a huge honour and now I guess the challenge is to be better next year.

“It is something I never even thought about until I got nominated.”

Meanwhile, head coach Steve Hansen added his own praise for Retallick as the lock now recovers in December before returning to Super Rugby pre-season training with the Chiefs.

“We have always marvelled at the size of his engine, he just keeps running all day long,” he said.

“He is ably supported by Sammy [Whitelock] and there is a sense of strength about him mentally and he is physically tough.”