The 31-year-old has seen and done most things during his 93 tests.
But he has seen and done most things in tandem with Sam Whitelock.
The pair have formed a formidable second row for the All Blacks.
But with Whitelock ruled out for the second test against Ireland in Dunedin tonight, Retallick will have to pick up the slack.
He will have to call the lineouts as part of his added responsibilities and there will be one less obvious target.
Scott Barrett will move from blindside to his more familiar spot in the second row, and Dalton Papalii gets the start at No 6.
Papalii will bring some defensive intensity and he is a workhorse around the field. But he is not a huge asset in the lineout and perhaps it is an opportunity for the Irish to push back in that set piece.
Retallick does not see Whitelock’s absence as a massive adjustment, though.
"We’ll just shift a little bit in the lineout and there is a bit more to think about when you have to call it rather than just turn up and jump.
"But apart from that it is the same, really."
The All Blacks lineout worked well in the opening test. The home team poached some ball.
"We obviously know it’s a starter for them where they try and build some momentum ... so we’re really trying to put some pressure on them in the air there. And I think, in the second half especially, we managed to pick a few off.
"Obviously, we had Scooter [Barrett] at No 6 and some height there."
Whitelock will be missed, despite Retallick playing it down. Former Irish international Ronan O’Gara suggested his absence was a big boost for Ireland’s prospects.
"He’s a good player isn’t he," Retallick responded when asked about O’Gara’s comments.
"He is the second most capped All Black now, so that is a wealth of experience.
"But I guess we’ll answer that on Saturday after the game."
