Brodie Retallick picks his next All Blacks ‘superstars’ including the ‘angry’ forward
Former All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick alongside prop Ethan de Groot.
Former New Zealand forward Brodie Retallick has revealed who he believes will take on the mantle of being the next All Blacks greats.
The second-row himself has gone down in the history books as one of New Zealand’s best ever players after earning over 100 caps for the national side.
Retallick was a key part of the Rugby World Cup-winning team of 2015 and also played in two further global tournaments, in 2019 and 2023.
During his career, he was often considered to be the premier lock in the sport before effectively ending his time with the All Blacks after signing a deal in Japan.
Retallick’s picks
The 33-year-old was appearing on Walk the Talk with Jim Hamilton when the ex-Scotland forward asked who could be New Zealand’s ‘superstars’ during the new four-year cycle.
Retallick did not hesitate, immediately pointing to a playmaker who he has featured alongside for both club and country.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Damian McKenzie can do,” he said. “I played a lot with him and he’s got so much skill and speed. I guess now he’s going to get the opportunity to give the number 10 jersey a real crack.”
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McKenzie is 29 and has already earned almost a half-century of caps for the All Blacks, but he has yet to truly establish himself in the XV.
Following Richie Mo’unga’s departure to Asia, that has opened the door for the playmaker to fill the fly-half void and take them into the next Rugby World Cup.
The early signs were promising after he kicked two crucial second-half penalties to help New Zealand to a narrow 16-15 triumph over England in Dunedin last weekend.
Building under Razor
Under Scott Robertson, the All Blacks are still finding their feet with the new head coach forced to make changes due to the post-World Cup exodus.
With Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Sam Cane among those to leave, Robertson has shuffled the back five of the scrum and it now includes a young player the second-row rates highly.
“The loose forward battle with some of the guys that are playing well in Super Rugby [is exciting], like Samipeni Finau – he’s another Chiefs player and he’s so physical. He’s got the size and the speed to be a big international six.”
Finau could well have a long international career behind a front-row which includes the impressive Ethan de Groot, who has emerged as an outstanding loosehead since making his debut in 2021.
Retallick added: “Probably one for the front-rowers, I’m looking forward to seeing what Ethan de Groot can do in the next few years. He’s what you want in a front-rower, he’s got a bit of anger about him, he’s got the size and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
