"He's taken his game to a whole other level this year," was All Black flanker Sam Cane's assessment of Vermeulen. "His presence at the breakdown is massive. He's a big man but he gets low over the ball and he's hard to move.
"We have all seen what he can do with his ball carrying. He's a big physical, direct No 8 but with some good skills as well."
Retallick would be the forward with equivalent influence in the All Blacks. He's been perpetual motion for the national cause - a solid eight or nine out of 10 each test he's played this year - and while the All Blacks have depth at lock, they can't replace Retallick with a like-for-like operator.
The 23-year-old has established himself as the best all-round lock in world rugby this year - one of the few who can tick the core role boxes and yet get about as well as a loose forward. But the signs are hopeful that he'll be cleared to play after taking a blow to the head in the latter stages of the test in La Plata.
"I sat next to him on the plane," said his locking partner, Sam Whitelock.
"He was pretty cheeky in the first part of the flight and then we all fell asleep. He seems all right."
Retallick will continue to be assessed to see how he responds to the travel, then light training - but the indications are that he does not have concussion symptoms.
If he is able to take his spot alongside Whitelock, it will create an irresistible battle in the second-row against Victor Matfield and Eben Etzebeth.
Whitelock's damaged rib prevented this match-up - one that many would see as between the two best pairings in the world game - in Wellington.
Whitelock, despite being in his fifth season of test football, has limited experience playing against Matfield in the test arena, but freely admits he's closely studied the South African's aerial work to see what he can adapt and adopt.
"We have played against each other a couple of times," said Whitelock.
"My first year I came off the bench and he probably started so there is always that challenge but if you get caught up in the personal battle the rest of your game suffers.
"I think that is something that everyone involved in a high level game ... you are trying to learn off everyone.
"Whether it is someone who carries the ball well or someone who is very good at lineouts you are trying to absorb as much as you can."