After breaking his cheekbone against Ireland last month, All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will make his return to competitive rugby on Saturday.
The 95-test veteran will play his first game for Hawkes Bay since 2011, as they defend the Ranfurly Shield against North Harbour, where he'll take his first step towards a return to the international fold.
In a career filled with silverware, defending the 'Log O'Wood' is one of the few things Retallick hasn't done.
"Living here and being out amongst the people, you see how much it means to the town and the region, and the way people get behind it," Retallick told Newshub.
Retallick's return to Hawkes Bay was forced by a broken cheekbone, although the recovery hasn't been as uncomfortable as expected
"It's actually been numb from the nerve damage the whole time, so it hasn't been painful," he explained. "So it's healed and we're away."
And the freshly healed face certainly hasn't stopped the big lock from bringing his trademark physicality to Magpies training sessions this week.
"He brings an extra edge to training and some IP [Intellectual Property] that we need around the team," said coach Josh Syms.
The timeline for the 31-year-old's return to the All Blacks is still uncertain, with his sights loosely set on the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia.
"I'll wait to hear from [All Blacks coach Ian Foster] or whoever," he said. "I'm here this weekend and maybe next weekend so I'll just wait to find out."
That means potentially another week to bond with new provincial teammates and reconnect with old ones.
"You've got the professional players who play Super Rugby. Boys that are making their way through and old 'Cracker', over there, he's a plumber," retallick said, pointing out veteran prop Mark Braidwood.
And if all goes to plan on Saturday, Retallick could be watching the All Blacks test against Argentina with the Shield keeping him company.
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