Brodie Retallick: Red Cards ‘Ruining’ Games as All Blacks Legend Reveals Lingering World Cup ‘Frustration’…
All Blacks legend Brodie Retallick supports the 20-minute red card trial, especially after New Zealand’s narrow World Cup final loss last October.
In the World Cup final, New Zealand lost to the Springboks by a single point, 12-11, at the Stade de France. The All Blacks played the last 53 minutes with 14 men following Sam Cane’s red card. Cane was sent off for a high tackle on South Africa’s Jesse Kriel, which, despite not being malicious, was a clear red card under the current rules.
The proposed amendment by southern hemisphere nations would allow teams to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes, restoring them to 15 players. This trial has been used in Super Rugby Pacific and designated World Rugby events, including the U20 Championship.
Critics argue this law compromises player safety, but Retallick believes red cards diminish the sport’s entertainment value. Speaking on Walk the Talk, he emphasized the balance between player safety and maintaining the game’s appeal.
“There’s a responsibility to look after people regarding head injuries and brain injuries, but also it comes with the game,” he said. “No one wants to see games ruined by cards. Whether they work out a system there or just find a way to make it even and people still get the spectacle. Whether it’s a 20-minute red card and then you bring a player back on or whatnot.”
Retallick’s frustration with red cards is not solely due to their World Cup loss, though the disappointment lingers. “I’m still a little bit frustrated around the cards and the way you don’t want a final to play out. At the end of the day, it is what it is,” he added.
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Despite their World Cup loss to South Africa, Retallick also expressed regret about South Africa’s exit from Super Rugby. He fondly recalled the experiences of touring South Africa as both a player and spectator.
“The one thing I probably miss the most as I get older is when we used to travel to South Africa on tour. Just how cool it is to get those experiences as a player and spectator,” he said. “Whether they can make the world club challenge or a world season, it just generates so much interest, and you get to watch players you don’t normally get to see. I think that’s got to be good for the game.”
Retallick highlighted the importance of playing South African teams for player development. “As a young Super Rugby player, getting to go and play a South African Super Rugby team, if you go on to play internationals you’re used to the physicality and that level of aggression, and the way the South Africans play. A lot of players now, especially at Super level, never would have played in South Africa.”
