Wedding puts icing on the cake for Retallick

Brodie Retallick and Niki Thompson when they arrived at last year's Steinlager Rugby Awards. Photo / NZ Herald

Powerhouse All Black lock Brodie Retallick showed his softer side when he wed sweetheart Niki Thompson in the province he once plied his rugby trade in this month.

The two said their vows and tied the knot on January 9 at Junction Wines, the Waipukurau vineyard owned by his uncle and another big name in rugby circles, former All Black John Ashworth.

They wed under blue skies and within the vines and picturesque trees of the vineyard.

Mr Retallick, who grew up in Canterbury but who spent two years in the Bay where he turned out for the Magpies, met his wife-to-be while he was living here.

Ms Thompson, a Hastings nurse, wore a lace-trimmed sleeveless gown in traditional white and she said they had worked hard to focus on the big picture amid the excitement of their special day.

"Throughout it all, we tried to focus on what the important things were about the day," she said.

"And for us - it was getting married."

Mr Retallick spoke lovingly of his bride in front of their family and friends.

"To my wife, Niki, today you looked absolutely beautiful - I had the biggest smile on my face as you came up the aisle and I look forward to sharing a life of happiness and joy with you. I love you."

The wedding put a fine touch on what has been a spectacular 12 months for the highly acclaimed 23-year-old rugby star.

He was named IRB world player of the year last November and New Zealand player of the year the following month.

His fellow All Black mate, fullback Ben Smith, has also tied the knot.

Last week he married his long-standing girlfriend, triathlete and basketballer Katie Menzies.