Retallick ready for return after two months out

The All Blacks lock tore a tendon in a Super Rugby clash with the Blues in April, ruling him out of a key stretch of the season.

But Retallick is now ready to come back for the Chiefs' final regular season match against the Rebels on Friday, allowing him to build towards the Rugby World Cup later this year.

"It's about time," he said, as reported by Stuff. "It's been a long eight weeks. I'm definitely excited to get back out there against the Rebels.

"It was quite tough watching, especially if we didn't get the result."

Explaining his lay-off, Retallick added: "I went and saw a hand therapist and got a bit of an idea.

"She sent me to a specialist and the specialist said it'd be eight weeks for the tendon to grow where there was a tear. So, it was always going to be eight weeks.

"Obviously last week with the bye was kind of bad timing, because that was the eighth week – I would have been able to play then. But it's given it another week to make sure it is right.

"The eight weeks I used pretty well and got extremely fit and could kind of mentally check out, so I've tried to use it as best I could.

"It has kind of been good in hindsight, especially around my fitness and my body and stuff like that. I don't think fitness should be an issue; thanks to the trainers here, I've just been running up and down the sideline."