Former World Player of The Year Brodie Retallick has been appointed as co-captain upon his return to Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Retallick, 32, has re-joined Kobe from the Chiefs having enjoyed a two-year stint with the Japanese side following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The 2015 World Cup winner has called time on his test rugby career but could not resist the lure of a return to Japan where he will link up with his former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.
Lock Retallick, who has won 109 caps for the All Blacks, will share co-captain duties with 31-year-old winger Rakuhei Yamashita.
“The level of the league itself is rising, and I think it will be a tough battle, but the Kobe Steelers need to take the team that finished 9th place last season back to the top, where they should be,” said Retallick.
''This is my role, and I will do my best to fulfil it.”
The Kobe side boast a strong Kiwi contingent including fellow All Black Ardie Savea who was awarded the 2023 World Player of The Year Award in France after his country’s narrow loss to South Africa.
Former All Black centre Ngani Laumape and Chiefs fly-half Bryn Gatland bolster the New Zealand ranks in Kobe will look to start afresh after a disappointing 2022-2023 campaign where they finished ninth in Division One.
Kobe Steelers feature in the 2023-2024 curtain raiser on Saturday 9 December as they host Mie Honda Heat in the lunchtime kick-off.
Pictures courtesy of Kobelco Kobe Steelers
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