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Dave Rennie says he wants experienced lock Brodie Retallick back in the All Blacks setup.
Speaking on his first day in the job, Rennie openly expressed his desire to bring Retallick into the squad, despite New Zealand Rugby’s long-standing policy restricting the selection of overseas-based players.
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As things stand, the All Blacks coach can only select players based abroad if they are on short-term sabbaticals and remain contracted to New Zealand Rugby. Recent examples include Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane, who both spent time at Leinster, while Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown are currently in Japan with Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
New Zealand remain one of several unions that require players to be contracted locally to be eligible for the national team. England and Ireland follow a similar approach, while other countries have moved in a different direction. Australia scrapped its ‘Giteau Law’, and the Springboks removed its overseas selection restriction when Rassie Erasmus took over as head coach in 2018.
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The debate around overseas-based All Blacks has simmered for years and Rennie’s comments have already reignited the discussion.
“I’ll comment on Brodie Retallick. I get to see him train and play every week. He’s stronger than he’s ever been,” the new head coach told reporters at his first press conference.
“He’s fitter than he’s ever been. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to, but there’s no doubt you want to win a World Cup, ideally, you’ve got your best players available.
“Obviously, Richie’s [Mo’unga] coming back, which would be good. He’s been in great form in Japan. And yeah, look, certainly you have someone like a Brodie Retallick coming into the environment. I reckon it’ll really grow the whole group, and if I had the chance to get him back, I’d certainly jump at it.”
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Rennie and Retallick have a long working relationship. The pair previously linked up at the Chiefs and are currently involved with the same club in Japan, while veteran loose forward Sam Cane could also come into the conversation.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
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