Rugby: All Blacks coach 'hopeful' Brodie Retallick fit for World Cup

Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks suffers a dislocated shoulder during the 2019 Rugby Championship Test Match between New Zealand and South Africa. Photo / Getty Images.

Good news for the All Blacks and Brodie Retallick: The man considered one of the best locks in the world dislocated his left shoulder against the Springboks in Wellington but remains in the frame for the World Cup, a diagnosis which has sent relief through everyone connected with the team.

Thankfully for Retallick, who was taken straight to hospital after leaving the Westpac Stadium pitch in considerable pain following a ruck cleanout during the All Blacks' 16-all draw with the Springboks, a scan revealed no fracture or joint damage.

He was seen smiling at the team hotel today, his left arm in a blue sling, and no wonder - he could still play a meaningful part in the All Blacks' World Cup defence which starts for them with a pool game against South Africa in Yokohama on September 21.

Retallick is unlikely to play any rugby in the lead-up to the tournament but such is the quality of the 28-year-old, who has played 77 tests, that Hansen will take him even if he can play only the knockout games.

"He's only dislocated it, which means there's a good possibility he could make the World Cup," coach Steve Hansen said. "There's no timeline yet as to when he'll return to play, but hopefully he'll be available to go to the World Cup."

Listen to "All Blacks coach Steve Hansens talks after SA draw" on Spreaker.

Asked whether he was relieved at the diagnosis, Hansen said: "He's one of our best players so obviously relieved, yes. It's good."

There will be disappointment among the All Blacks at how Retallick received the 60th-minute injury, however, as replacement lock RG Snyman clearly entered the ruck illegally, a point made clear to referee Nic Berry by skipper Kieran Read, but the Australian official stated he was happy with Snyman's intervention.

"He was offside, so I have an issue with that," Hansen said of Snyman. "But the cleanout itself was probably technically okay. But he was offside, he entered from the side of the ruck but that's only a penalty."

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Hooker Dane Coles, who shone as a replacement in the final quarter, said he couldn't help but watch and hope as Retallick went down in obvious pain and halfback Aaron Smith was similarly sympathetic a day later. "We're praying for him; all the best for him, he's one of our brothers and a huge part of this team," Smith said.

Retallick's injury means a re-think for the coaches as to the make-up of the Bledisloe Cup squad. On Wednesday, Hansen will trim his squad to 31 for the two tests against the Wallabies, the first of which is in Perth on August 10.

Lock Scott Barrett will have a scan on his hand on Monday but is unlikely to be available for the Perth test, with Patrick Tuipulotu, in danger of dropping out of the squad, likely to be retained. Jackson Hemopo is the other option as Sam Whitelock's next partner in the second row.

Hansen added that midfielder Sonny Bill Williams, who got through 60 minutes without further injury apart a cut nose which required a few stitches, would not travel to Perth, rather he would be available for Counties' next two games before the return test at Eden Park on August 18.

Williams performed adequately and most importantly he remained injury free following his recent physical fragility. But he clearly needs game time and probably at a lower level as he attempts to find form ahead of Japan.

Uncapped first-five Josh Ioane, who is unlikely to make the final cut, will also play provincial rugby, Hansen said.

All Blacks Brodie Retallick injury during the 2019 Investec Rugby Championship game between All Blacks vs South Africa. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

🏆 The All Blacks retain the Freedom Cup with a 16-16 draw with South Africa in Wellington.#NZLvRSA #BACKBLACK pic.twitter.com/bVLRGKHWeu

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 27, 2019

🎥 REACTION | Go inside the All Blacks sheds and get the reaction to the 16-16 draw against South Africa from skipper Kieran Read. #NZLvRSA #BACKBLACK 🇳🇿🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/VVrgZPiBIp

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 27, 2019