Rugby: 'Our' Retallick ready to lock in century

Culum Retallick has re-signed with Bay of Plenty Rugby for another year. Photo / File

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick grabbed plenty of attention last week by re-signing with New Zealand Rugby.

But the re-signing of his cousin and Steamers captain Culum Retallick with Bay of Plenty Rugby is a more significant event locally.

Retallick, 30, has signed a one-year deal for the 2015 ITM Cup and he would dearly like to play on for at least another season to try and become the union's first centurion since Paul Tupai.

Tupai played his 100th game in the Ranfurly Shield victory over Auckland in 2004 to become the 16th player to reach the milestone.

Retallick has played 83 first class games for the Steamers since arriving from Canterbury in 2007.

"It was an easy decision to make to return to the Bay, with a new coaching team, great playing environment and group behind the scenes," Retallick said. "The possibility of getting to 100 games would be an awesome achievement and something I would cherish.

"It will be an exciting year ahead. It will be good to get back in the Bay jersey again. It is a real positive for the union to have Clayton [McMillan] coaching and having a great mix of experience. He has put some changes in place and brings a new vision.

"When it is personal that is when you get the best out of it and when the Bay have played their best rugby.

"The last few seasons have been frustrating and pretty tough on the injury front. We have always had a good culture but have struggled to put that culture on to the field into winning rugby."

Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO Mike Rogers would love to see Retallick become the next player to play 100 games for the Bay.

"Given the changing nature of rugby, this would be a fantastic achievement," he said.

Retallick, who previously played for the Chiefs and Highlanders, is finally getting game time with the struggling Blues franchise after being left on the sidelines through the first half of the campaign.

"That was pretty disappointing, especially when we're losing and being told that they were really happy with how the other locks are going," Retallick said. "It is tough to take but you have to just get your head down and train.

"When you get an opportunity, take it. I feel I have done that but obviously it would have been nice in round two or three not round 10."