All Black duo not going anywhere
Two members of the All Blacks engine room – Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick – have re–signed with New Zealand Rugby and their respective Super Rugby franchises through to the end of 2015.
30–year–old Crockett has played 11 Tests for the All Blacks since 2009 and been a Crusader since 2006, playing his 100th match for the team last year.
Prior to his elevation to the top tier of New Zealand rugby, the loosehead prop also represented New Zealand at all other national levels, as a member of the Junior All Blacks in 2006–2007 and New Zealand’s 2004 Under-21 and 2002 Under-19 championship–winning sides.
21–year–old Brodie Retallick had a breakout year in 2012. The talented young lock was called into the All Blacks on the back of an outstanding debut Super Rugby season, helping his Chiefs team win the 2012 Super Rugby competition. He played in all but one of the All Blacks’ 14 Tests last year.
Crockett said: “I am really happy to extend my contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders for another two years. I still have a lot I want to achieve in New Zealand rugby and I feel privileged to get up each day and do something I truly love.”
Retallick said: “I am really enjoying playing for the All Blacks and the Chiefs and want the opportunity to defend the Chiefs’ Super Rugby title and also hopefully get the opportunity to play in a Rugby World Cup.”
All Black head coach Steve Hansen said: “Wyatt and Brodie are both quality men and quality rugby players and it’s fantastic that they have put their hands up and said ‘we want to stay’, especially as we know they have the choice to play their footy elsewhere. Their re-signing is great for New Zealand rugby and great for the All Blacks.”
Retallick and Crockett join a large group of 2012 All Blacks who have committed through until 2014 and 2015, including captain Richie McCaw, playmaker Daniel Carter and prop Ben Franks (2015), the All Blacks’ most-capped prop Tony Woodcock and fellow props Owen Franks and Charlie Faumuina, hookers Dane Coles and Hikawera Elliot, lock Luke Romano, loose forward Victor Vito, scrumhalves Piri Weepu and Aaron Smith, flyhalf Aaron Cruden, midfielder Conrad Smith and utility backs Israel Dagg and Cory Jane.
