Brodie Retallick at the peak of his ‘Rugby Powers’

Brodie Retallick at the peak of his 'Rugby Powers'

‘Big Brodie’ has made a terrific return to the rugby field. After an absence due to family reasons in the later stages of 2017, he has returned to the field with his Chiefs Super Rugby team. And the return has shown that Brodie Retallick is at the peak of his ‘Rugby Powers’.

The big lock has been in commanding form for the Chiefs. Over the opening seven weeks of the competition, it’s like he never took a break. His side sitting on four wins  (after having the bye week) they are perfectly positioned to make another charge for the franchises third title.

And the lock has revealed that he is in great condition, which will come as both a bonus for the Chiefs….and a warning to all other teams whom face the pivotal member of the Hamilton-based side.

Brodie Retallick at the peak of his ‘Rugby Powers’

Having missed the fixture against the Blues at Eden Park, due to a finger to his eye during training, his next game was outstanding. So this weeks return CHIvBLU fixture in Hamilton, is an ideal place for Brodie Retallick to again demonstrate his supremacy.

His fans will hope his strong vein of form. Displays like he showed in week five, where he scored two tries against the Bulls. In that 41-28 victory, Retallick stormed back into the limelight. He was a large figure, assisting his team to their ‘come from behind win’.

At that time, Retallick was interviewed by Newshub. He told media that his second try was something out of the blue. “I’m not too sure where that came from – it sort of just happened.”

That is what people expect, yet the Chiefs would not have dreamed of expecting Retallick would display it–so quickly.

And the wider rugby-public are glad that he returned too. His ability to turn up in the backline late in a game, has been demonstrated in Super Rugby and for the All Blacks. His try in Albany – where the New Zealand team ‘wiped the floor’ with the Springboks – was a candidate for International try of the Year.

So for rugby fans to be seeing this same type of form from Brodie Retallick in Super Rugby 2018, makes for great viewing.

“The body’s in good shape and the fitness is right up there with where it’s been before, and hopefully I’m a little bit wiser than I have been the past few years.

“Obviously not playing the end of last year, I got a little bit more work in pre-season than what I have done in the past, because I’ve had a bit of a longer break. On the whole, I’m pretty positive about where I’m at,” was Retallick’s admission to Newshub.

Brodie Retallick leading the Chiefs-charge

Even when new head coach Colin Cooper was beginning his time with the Chiefs, the first few names that he will have noted down included Brodie Retallick. A fully fit Retallick, along with Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown, will be the axis on which the team are built.

Cane, a figure who is similarly like Retallick, is an integral part of the franchise, is also it’s captain. He relies on the lock to bind the team together. Having just played his 100th Super Rugby cap, Cane could likely see his team mate go close to reaching that figure; the closer they get to the Super Rugby grand final place.

Lienert-Brown is a relatively newer member of the squad, but was not a part of the Chiefs franchise who won back-to-back titles. The All Blacks midfielder made his Chiefs debut in 2014, so has played nearly all of his 39 caps beside Retallick.

“He’s super-consistent and we can always trust in him to bring his best game,” says Lienert-Brown. “Having him out there makes us a better team, we’re just very fortunate to have him.

“I just think he’s a world class player, if not the best going around at the moment.”

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick

Looking ahead to the June Internationals against France, if Brodie can stay fit and injury free, he will again partner Sam Whitelock against the French team. What was noticeable at times, late in 2017, was how the big lock was absent. Whitelock will be delighted, to partner his close friend Brodie.

Even while the All Blacks management must look at the wider picture, few have matched the 2014 World Rugby ‘Player of the Year’. He has been, and will likely still be, and incredibly important member of that [likely] squad.

And whether it is for the All Blacks, or for the Chiefs, the standards of Brodie Retallick appear to rise every time he takes the field. He displays a huge heart, often going 80 minutes. He is a threat on offence; appearing as a decoy runner midfield, at other times he shows an amazing ability to offload in the tackle.

And it is this range of skill that is an example that Brodie Retallick is at the peak of his ‘Rugby Powers’.

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