Rugby World Cup: New Zealand's Brodie Retallick 'nervous' for return from injury

2019 Rugby World Cup
Hosts: Japan Dates: 20 September to 2 November
Coverage: Full commentary on every game across BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

New Zealand second row Brodie Retallick admits he is "nervous" about making his comeback from injury against Namibia.

Retallick, regarded as one of the world's best locks, has been out since dislocating his shoulder in July and returns earlier than expected.

"I obviously want to push my case moving into the tournament by getting some game time," said Retallick.

"Although you can do a lot of running, which we have been doing, nothing compares to match fitness."

The 28-year-old is one of 12 changes made by the two-time defending champions, which include handing a rest to both Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett.

That means Barrett's brother Jordie, a utility back, will play fly-half for the first time in international rugby.

"He has played there before at a lower level," coach Steve Hansen said.

"He has got the skill-sets we believe to be able to run the game and the confidence and the skill-set to be able to execute as well as run it.

"We're reasonably confident he will be fine."

Jordie Barrett played on the wing - and scored - in the win against Canada

After picking up his injury against South Africa earlier this year, there were fears Retallick - the 2014 world player of the year - would be ruled out of the World Cup in Japan.

However, he was named in the All Blacks squad with the hope of featuring in the knockout stages and returns for their penultimate pool game.

New Zealand are currently second in Pool B with two wins from two games, including a 63-0 thrashing of Canada on Wednesday.

"It's exciting to have the big fella back," Hansen said.

"You go back to the night it happened and there was a bit of despair. Then we found out it wasn't one of those dislocations that would require an operation and there was more hope.

"As he has trained he has got better and the guys have got more excited, none more so than the coach."

Captain and centre Johan Deysel makes his first start of the tournament following injury for Namibia in one of nine changes from their 57-3 defeat by South Africa.

Deysel scored a try when these sides met at the 2015 World Cup, a game the All Blacks won 58-14.

Teams

New Zealand: Smith, Reece, Goodhue, Lienert-Brown, Bridge; J Barrett, Smith; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, Frizell, Cane, Savea.

Replacements: Coles, Tuungafasi, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Todd, Weber, Perenara, Ioane.

Namibia: Tromp, Klim, Newman, Deysel, Greyling; Kisting, Stevens; Rademeyer, Van Jaarsveld, De Klerk, Van Lill, Uanivi, Gaoseb, Forbes, Venter.

Replacements: Nortje, Theron, Coetzee, Retief, Booysen, Jantjies, De La Harpe, Du Toit

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35 comments

As a rugby fan I’m delighted. As an England supporter, less so!
He IS the best lock in World rugby.
NZ never take their foot off the gas against smaller sides and Namibia have looked very poor over all, I'd say, with Russia, the joint worst team in the competition.

It was going to be a cricket score with or without Retallick, perfect game for him to return from injury in.
One word - depth.
Great to see one of the best forwards in the world back on the pitch. Respect for the big man, fantastic player all over the pitch.
ooo yer the man is back and with that the abs get better. one of the finest locks out there. the engraver better sharpen his little tools for the WC is staying south. Sorry but it is - cope.
It's definitely made them stronger now he's in the squad.
Really like Barrett as he's different to most locks - odds even shorter now.
Phil Tree. You are not a funny man. A top of the range loser I would say
Always good to see people returning from injury. Scott Barrett has really stepped up and enjoyed his game time. I would put him on par with, if not better than, Whitelock, though Whitelock is a great leader as well.

I like the way NZ is preparing in case there are injuries to their first 2 10s - by trying out 2 new 10s (J Barrett and Perenara). They have been down to the third string 10 before.
Small nation, impressive depth, going to take a huge effort to topple these guys once again, is anyone up to the task ?
Great to see Retallick back. Interesting to see how JB goes at 10 with Perenara backing up. Strong tight 5 and Ardie in his best position will be a good watch. All pointing to the same team as played SA to be rolled out in the 1/4s (should we make it). Couple of question marks on who will play midfield and the loosie on the bench but looking fairly settled now, just a case of managing minutes.
People were saying the team playing Canada was a strong team but I reckon this one's stronger. Keep your eye on Ardie at 8. Think he's gonna be rampant. Glad to have Brodie back. Experiment with Jordie should go well (I hope) and love to see Ben back at 15. I still think he's class.
Just when you thought the kiwis couldn't get any stronger ... they roll out the behemoth that is Brodie Retallic

The real question in this rwc is not will the AB's win it .... but can they lose it.

So much strength and depth, great ball players throughout, vision and pace.

Roll on sunday morning
@!11, Sadly there are horrible injuries pretty much every week in the rugby world.
Not a bad lad to bring off the bench. As ever, except 2003, to win the RWC you will have to beat the ABs. The best team on show so far, then Wales, Aus and England
first Canada now Namibia? Steve Hansen himself could start and they'd still win by 50.
It's amazing that Retallick has made it back but I want to see the haka!
Why do BBC Salford insist on calling the AB's two times defending champions, when we have actually won three world cups ?
I don’t think he’s the best lock in the world. I’d give that title to The Kieldrecht Lock, located in the Port of Antwerp in Belgium
This is going to be a horrible hiding for Namibia.