Retallick came up through the Canterbury system but, unable to crack a deep ITM Cup squad, moved north to sign with Bay of Plenty for the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup. He made 7 starts in his debut season and by 2008 was a fixture in the starting lineup.
He made his 50th appearance for the side in a victory over Counties Manukau during the opening round of the 2011 ITM Cup on 17 July 2011.
Retallick earned a contract with the Chiefs for the 2010 Super 14 season, and turned in an excellent debut campaign, appearing in all 13 games for the team including 10 starts.
In 2011, however, he struggled to get playing time and was limited to 7 appearances, all as a substitute. For the 2012 season, Retallick was signed by the Highlanders, but it was without question his coming-of-age performances for Bay of Plenty in the 2012 ITM Cup, where he exhibited an almost freakish ability to wrestle the ball from opposition players, which caught the eye of incoming Blues coach John Kirwan.
In 2013, Retallick signed with the Blues before trading the side for the Rebels in 2015.
The lock has scored 5 points in 53 Super Rugby appearances since his debut in 2010 against the Sharks in Durban.
Retallick featured in 13 of the Rebels 15 Super Rugby matches in 2017 before he decided to stay in New Zealand following Bay of Plenty's 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season.
JW December 17
Career
 |
Blues No 4 Lock |
2013 - 2015 |
 |
Bay of Plenty No 4 Lock |
2013 - 2017 |
 |
Melbourne Rebels No 4 Lock |
2015 - 2017 |
