Brodie Retallick
Sam Whitelock's return to the All Blacks for their test against Argentina boosts not only their ability in the lineout, scrum, and kick-off, but also the expansive game this team is determined to play.
For the All Blacks, the old firm has been reunited, because Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are two of the best locks in world rugby and also the most skilful.
Retallick's ball handling in the rain against the Pumas in Napier was freakish at times and great importance was placed on him a week later against the Springboks in Wellington when he was often the one in the midfield from phase play popping passes to forwards or backs.
It was a role he did quite well despite the line speed on defence from the South Africans and one that doesn't necessarily come naturally to a tight forward. It was a testament to the hard work he has put in and his game sense.
It links nicely with the running game the All Blacks are trying to play and which they will continue on what they hope is a hard, dry pitch tomorrow at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
Heyneke Meyer's Springboks, who the All Blacks play next weekend in Johannesburg, are trying for a similar template, as are Argentina. Both nations have based their game around their big forwards and a confrontational style, but are beginning to accept that that is from a bygone era.
Coach Steve Hansen takes it as a compliment that other teams are trying to copy the All Blacks' style, while privately probably knowing that his team have the natural ability and skills to do it better than most. Their trainings suggest that they also probably work harder at it than any other.
"Maybe we've been doing it longer," Hansen said about the All Blacks' success in running the ball. "Our rugby players I think are natural athletes. They grow up with a ball, they're outside more than maybe the Northern Hemisphere guys, whereas the South African guys have got the same type of environment but their game has been built around brute strength and physicality. It's just a subtle change."
It was a theme picked up on by Retallick, who has flourished in the added exposure that Luke Romano's broken leg has provided this year. Asked about his passing game, he said: "We've worked very hard on the technical side of what we want to achieve from that. For the last couple of years, probably, we've tried to implement it on the field."
Retallick, who has played all but nine minutes of the All Blacks' four Rugby Championship tests this year, said of Whitelock's return from a rib problem: "It's good to see him back out on the field. I thought Jeremy [Thrush] did a great job while Sam was out but to have him back is nice. Obviously we've had a few games together now so we're starting to get to know each other pretty well on the field."APNZ