All Blacks star lock Brodie Retallick is set to return from injury earlier than expected according to reports in the New Zealand Herald.
The 28-year-old has been suffering from a shoulder injury and was expected to come back into selection contention for the quarter-finals. However, it is now thought that he is recovering faster than expected and could be back for the All Blacks pool clash with Namibia.
That game takes place on October 6th and mean that he could gain valuable game-time in that match and during the final pool game against Italy a week later ahead of a quarter-final.
Head coach Steve Hansen admitted that Retallick has looked good in training over recent days, ahead of the team’s massive clash with the Springboks on Saturday.
Without Retallick Hansen only has Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock to choose from, so if any were to pick up an injury they could be in trouble.
Elsewhere in the squad, loose forward Matt Todd has sustained a shoulder injury in training and will be watched over the coming days as they will not risk him against the Boks, while fellow loose forward Luke Jacobson has already been sent home due to concussion propelling Shannon Frizell into the starting XV on Saturday.
If Retallick does return early it will be a massive boost for the All Blacks as they take on their task of trying to secure a third World Cup in a row.
