Japan head coach Eddie Jones believes that Brodie Retallick would fit seamlessly back into the All Blacks set-up under new boss Dave Rennie.<\/p>\n
After being announced as the next New Zealand head coach following Scott Robertson\u2019s departure, the 62-year-old reopened the overseas player debate.<\/p>\n
Rennie<\/a> specifically namechecked Retallick having been impressed by his form while working with the second-row at Kobelco Kobe Steelers since the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n The former Chiefs boss also gave the lock his chance in Super Rugby with the forward eventually going on to become one of the best players in the sport.<\/p>\n From Kobe to New Zealand<\/p>\n When Rennie eventually leaves his job at Kobe at the end of the Japan Rugby League One season to take up his All Blacks<\/a> role, it appears as though he wants Retallick<\/a> to join him.<\/p>\n Jones<\/a> has backed that idea, pointing to a clip from last weekend which showed that he has still got the desire and ability to play at the highest level.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea of Retallick coming back, I was watching the game last weekend, Kobe won by 80 points, they\u2019ve got the game easily won,\u201d he said on the Rugby Unity podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the last minute of the game, the opposition make a break down the right-hand side, Retallick sprints 50 metres to ankle tap the bloke who\u2019s in the clear.<\/p>\n \u201cHis effort and his desire to be the best all the time is incredible. He\u2019s 35, 36 (editor\u2019s note: 34), he just plays the game at a high level, leads by example, the best player up here by an absolute mile.<\/p>\n Class is permanent.<\/p>\n Brodie Retallick with the clock in the red. After scoring two tries. His team up 78-19. pic.twitter.com\/sLFgoIZZlI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Eddie Jones\u2019 verdict on new All Blacks coach frontrunners and the star New Zealand should \u2018pay double\u2019 to return<\/a><\/p>\n Retallick happy in Japan<\/p>\n Retallick said in an interview in January that his All Blacks time \u2018was done\u2019 and he did not exactly backtrack when speaking to Newstalk ZB after Rennie\u2019s appointment as All Blacks head coach.<\/p>\n The 34-year-old is comfortable with the laws in place that prevents New Zealand from picking players based abroad, but Jones has urged NZ Rugby to find a way to get him involved.<\/p>\n