Rugby: Brodie Retallick to miss next All Blacks test after family heartbreak

All Black Brodie Retallick and wife Niki arrive on the red carpet at The 52nd Halberg Awards in 2015. Photo / Nick Reed

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will not be travelling to South Africa for the test against the Springboks after his wife lost their baby boy prematurely.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen confirmed the news this afternoon.

"We're really feeling for them at this sad time and our thoughts are with them and their families," said Hansen.

"As a result, Brodie will stay home with Niki and rejoin the team when the time is right."

UPDATE FROM THE ALL BLACKS All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will not be coming to South Africa for the Test against the...

Posted by All Blacks on Saturday, September 30, 2017

Retallick, 26, and his wife, Niki Thompson, already have a one-year-old daughter, Sienna.

The couple married in a Hawke's Bay ceremony in 2015.

Meanwhile, Sam Cane, Ryan Crotty, Lima Sopoaga, Liam Squire and Sam Whitelock have arrived in South Africa.

Vaea Fifita, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Luke Romano and Ardie Savea will return to New Zealand.

Retallick and his wife Niki in 2015. Photo / Nick Reed