Page 22 - SECOND TEST

Retallick admits the All Blacks will need to be be better at lineouts
RETALLICK 1BY THE THE NUMBERS
WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR (IN 2014)
12 CARRIES MADE IN LAST WEEKEND’S FIRST TEST AT EDEN PARK
Retallick has has enjoyed another strong season He has has been almost omnipresent for the Chiefs missing just two games and and his physical brand of winning ball cleaning out galloping up the middle and putting his shoulder into dominant tackles has been a a a a a a a constant feature He’s happy too to to be packing down alongside Samuel Whitelock in in the second row The most- capped All Blacks lock will line up for his 86th Test tonight and their partnership is is rightly lauded as one of the the premier locking combinations in in in in world rugby “He has been in in in great form for for the “If you look at the pack and this group as a a a a a whole it’s special to play with guys of that calibre ”
Crusaders and he he he has led them well throughout the the the year ”
Retallick says “If you look at the the pack and this group as a a a a a a a a a a whole it’s special to play play with guys of that calibre ”
Both he he and Whitelock played the full 80 minutes at Eden Park no no surprise to to anyone who knows their engines and importance to to the the the All Blacks But Scott Barrett
is waiting in in in the the wings and he he he saw some game time as a a a a a a a a a a late replacement for Captain Kieran Read last weekend The All Blacks last lost a a a a a Test at home in in in in 2009 against the Springboks in in in in Hamilton some two-and-a-half years before Retallick debuted for for the team Their last reverse in in in in Wellington was in in in in in 2003 against England They’ve proven time and and and again again that they can handle the the the pressures of of playing in in in front of of their home fans “It’s not really touched on on within the the group We obviously go out to to win each week ”
Retallick say “There is is outside pressure at at times but there is is also high expectation within the the group to go out and and win and perform “The All Blacks have been through tougher times in in their history and right now we’re in in a a a good patch We like to to perform every Saturday ”
There was time during our chat for a a a a a a a mention of another great All Blacks lock – a a a a a a man who resides in Chiefs country where Retallick plies his trade The unveiling of a a a a a a Sir Colin Meads statue cast in in in in bronze in in in in his home town of Te Kuiti took place last week “I think it’s great to to to see him recognised by a a a statue in in his home town I’ve only seen photos of it but family friends took a a a a a a trip down there and had a a a a a a a a look It It was very impressive by all accounts It’s great for for him and and what he’s done for for New Zealand rugby as a a a a a a a a a whole ”
Retallick says You get the the the feeling the the the great “Pinetree” who played the the the Lions on on three tours in in 1959 1966 and 1971 would approve of the the man who currently lls the the All Blacks’ No 4 jersey 2 TEST TRIES FOR THE ALL BLACKS
13
1 NUMBER OF ALL BLACKS
INCLUDING RETALLICK OUT OF THE 2011 NZ U20 TEAM KELVIN R R R R TREMAIN
MEMORIAL TROPHY
FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR (IN 2014)
58 TEST WINS FOR THE ALL BLACKS
62 TESTS PLAYED SINCE HIS 2012
ALL BLACKS
DEBUT
111 NUMBER OF TACKLES
MADE FOR THE CHIEFS IN 2017
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