New Zealand Rugby Greats: Brodie Retallick’s Picks for the Next All Blacks Superstars
Brodie Retallick, the former All Blacks stalwart who earned over 100 caps for New Zealand, has identified the players he believes will carry the mantle of rugby greatness for the national team in the years ahead.
Retallick, a key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning side, was a renowned second-row forward who played in three global tournaments before signing a lucrative deal in Japan, effectively ending his illustrious international career.
Speaking on the “Walk the Talk” podcast with ex-Scotland forward Jim Hamilton, Retallick shared his insights on the emerging talent set to lead the All Blacks into the next four-year cycle.
Damian McKenzie: The Fly-half of the Future
At the top of his list was fly-half Damian McKenzie, a player Retallick knows well from both their club and international exploits. “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.”
With the departure of Richie Mo’unga to Asia, the 29-year-old McKenzie is primed to seize the pivotal fly-half role and steer the All Blacks towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. His recent match-winning performance against England in Dunedin, where he slotted two crucial second-half penalties, has further bolstered his claim to the coveted number 10 jersey.
Emerging Talents in the All Blacks’ Back-row
Retallick also highlighted the emerging talents in the All Blacks’ back-row, singling out Samipeni Finau as a player to watch. “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.”
Ethan de Groot: A Rising Star in the Front-row
Furthermore, the former lock praised the potential of loosehead prop Ethan de Groot, who has rapidly established himself as an outstanding scrummager since making his debut in 2021. “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.”
With the All Blacks in a transitional phase under new head coach Scott Robertson, Retallick’s insights provide a glimpse into the next generation of BBC rugby union stars poised to shape the future of New Zealand’s rugby union gameplay and build on the team’s rich legacy.
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