Brodie Retallick

Brodie Allan Retallick was born on May 31, 1991, in Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand. Growing up in the North Canterbury town of Amberley, Retallick was exposed to rugby from a young age, with his uncle, John Ashworth, being a former All Blacks prop. He attended Christchurch Boys’ High School, where he played lock for the 1st XV in 2008 and 2009. Despite not being offered a contract by the Canterbury academy, he was recruited by Hawke’s Bay’s forwards coach, Tom Coventry, and subsequently moved north to progress his rugby career.

Retallick made his provincial debut for Hawke’s Bay in 2010. His talent was recognized when he was selected for the New Zealand Under 20 side in 2011, a team that clinched the Junior World Championship title under coach Dave Rennie. This led to his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in 2012, a season in which the team secured their first-ever title. Just months later, Retallick made his All Blacks debut against Ireland on June 9, 2012, forming a long-standing lock combination with Sam Whitelock. He quickly became a regular starter for the All Blacks, consistently demonstrating his skill and contributing to significant victories.

His career saw continuous progression and notable achievements. In 2013, the Chiefs successfully defended their Super Rugby title. The following year, 2014, was particularly distinguished for Retallick, as he was named both the World Rugby Player of the Year and the Kelvin R Tremain award winner for the best New Zealand-based player. He was a crucial member of the All Blacks team that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In 2018, Retallick received the World Rugby Try of the Year Award for an exceptional try against Australia. He took a sabbatical to play in Japan’s Top League in 2020 and 2021 before being recalled to the All Blacks in 2021. In 2022, he achieved 100 test caps, becoming the 12th All Black to reach this milestone.