Stars back and raring to go in black

Beauden Barrett (left) and Brodie Retallick return to the All Blacks’ starting XV against Fiji...
Beauden Barrett (left) and Brodie Retallick return to the All Blacks’ starting XV against Fiji tonight. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
The  Brodie and Beaudy show returns to a field near you tonight.

Towering lock Brodie Retallick will make his first appearance in an All Blacks jersey since the 2019 World Cup following a stint in Japan, and first five Beauden Barrett is back from a six-month sabbatical, having made a cameo off the bench against Tonga last week.

They have had an opportunity to freshen up and that probably does not bode well for Fiji, which has had a difficult build-up for the first test at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

Retallick confessed to some nerves, though. He has not played since May.

"It has been a wee while," he said.

"I am a little bit nervous but I’m so excited to get out there in the test arena.

"The first scrum session was a real wake-up call. But I did a fair bit of work when I was at home in Hawke’s Bay before we came together and having last week in the camp to get the conditioning right — so I’m in a good spot."

Retallick had always planned to return from Japan to try to win his spot back in the team before the 2023 World Cup.

The 81-game veteran felt his time in Japan was beneficial for his longevity in the sport but it was "good to be back".

Barrett has been sporting two shiners this week after taking a knock during a training session.

"I was warned about Ethan Blackadder when he first came into camp and found out about that pretty quick," Barrett said.

"Between [Blackadder] and the big man next to me [Retallick], you’ve got to stay well clear of them at training."

Barrett has been playing more at fullback for the All Blacks in recent years but the move to first five this week puts him a lot closer to the action, and he is embracing that challenge.

His battle with Richie Mo’unga for the No10 shirt has provided inspiration for a lot of column inches.

Barrett does not read too much into it.

"What I know is we’ve got a healthy competition here and, whoever is starting, we always try and make each other better."

All Black coach Ian Foster has a lot of faith in both men.

"Attitude wise, they’re both 10 out of 10," Foster said.

"Physically I’m really excited about where they’re at. Beauden is looking fast, calm and excited.

"Brodie is exactly the same. He’s prancing around with a bounce in his step."

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