The embattled All Blacks will have to face the world champion Springboks in South Africa next month without one of New Zealand’s most influential players.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has confirmed that lock Brodie Retallick suffered a broken cheekbone in the historic 32-22 defeat to Ireland in Wellington on Saturday and will be out of action for six to eight weeks.
The 2014 World Player of the Year clashed heads with Ireland prop Andrew Holden at the Cake Tin.
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New Zealand and SA will kick off the 2022 Rugby Championship with two Tests in the Republic, starting on 6 August in Nelspruit, before a clash at Ellis Park a week later.
The loss of Retallick couldn’t come at a worse time for the All Blacks after New Zealand Rugby on Sunday launched an urgent review into the home series defeat to Ireland, the first time in the professional era.
Chief executive Mark Robinson deemed the historic loss “not acceptable”, which has only increased the pressure on Foster, who will be hoping to still be plotting the demise of the Boks following their 2-1 series victory against Wales.
