Rugby: Retallick returning home

Brodie Retallick in action against the Springboks. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The world's best rugby player in 2014, lock Brodie Retallick, is coming home.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union CEO Mike Bishop confirmed yesterday Retallick had signed a four-year deal with the union which will run in conjunction with his Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby Union contracts through until the end of the 2019 season. The necessary paper work was completed yesterday.

"Brodie first contacted me at the end of last year and asked if there was any chance of him playing for the Magpies again. I told him there was every chance and it's great to be able to announce that," Bishop said.

"Brodie has always acknowledged it was the Hawke's Bay union via the Magpies which launched his career. He is happy to be coming home to where it all began with family and friends and if he ever needs an ITM Cup game it will be back in the black and white jersey."

Retallick, 24, played two first-class games for the Magpies in 2010 and 10 in 2011 after helping the New Zealand under-20 team win their world championship in Italy.

He was one of four Hawke's Bay age group products, Ben Tameifuna, Dominic Bird and Brad Weber were the others, in the 2011 Baby Blacks team.

A nephew of Takapau-based former All Black prop John Ashworth, Retallick, who has been an All Black since 2012, won the 2014 World Player of the Year award. Retallick has been contracted to the Bay of Plenty union since 2012 but will leave that Bay without playing an ITM Cup game for the province and will again be affiliated to the Waipukurau-based Central club.

His wife Niki is from the Bay.

Central premier coach Exham Wichman said Retallick will be a huge boost for the club.

"We know we're unlikely to see him take the field for us but when he visits we can bounce ideas off him and the tips and experiences he can pass on the forwards will be great.

"He came to a few of our games last year and the way the boys responded to his tips was awesome.

"We made some good steps in the right direction this year by finishing sixth in the Maddison Trophy and getting players selected in the Hawke's Bay Saracens team.

"With Brodie's influence we can build on that. To have a bloke of that stature in our small community is massive ... the young JAB players will respond in a positive manner when they see him too," Wichman said.

"I remember when I was playing for Havelock North and the late Jarrod Cunningham used to turn up.

"The enthusiasm levels these sort of blokes bring to clubs ... you can't beat it," he added.