New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick can play 80 minutes in quarter-final against Ireland, says Steve Hansen

Big motor: New Zealand have no fears over Brodie Retallick's lack of recent match action
AP
George Flood17 October 2019

New Zealand have named Brodie Retallick in their team to face Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

The towering lock is deemed fit enough to start the high-profile contest in Tokyo despite playing just 30 minutes - in the 71-9 win over Pool B minnows Namibia - of top-level rugby since dislocating his shoulder against South Africa in July.

"He can play 80 (minutes) if that's what we want but it'll be unlikely," All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said on Thursday.

"Brodie is a bit of a freak. He has what we call a big motor. He can play whether he has had a short or long break."

Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue are retained as the midfield pairing, with Sonny Bill Williams named as a replacement and Ryan Crotty and Ben Smith not even named in the matchday 23.

Cody Taylor starts ahead of Dane Coles at hooker, while Jordie Barrett drops to the bench with brother Beauden at full-back once more and Richie Mo'unga recalled at fly-half.

New Zealand - seeking a third successive World Cup triumph - have not played since October 6 after their final pool fixture against Italy was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.

They have lost two of their last three fixtures against Pool A runners-up Ireland, including a 16-9 defeat in Dublin last November.

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