Wayne Pivac’s 2021 Guinness Six Nations champions will welcome the All Blacks – ranked as the world’s second best side – to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, October 30. It will be New Zealand’s first visit to the Welsh capital since 2017.
Wales will then go on to face southern hemisphere giants South Africa, Fiji and Australia on consecutive weekends.
But it is the presence of the All Blacks in the autumn schedule which is hugely exciting for not only both sets of players and staff, but supporters too.
“I love playing in Cardiff,” said Retallick, who has won all six of his All Blacks games with Wales. “Coming into the city and spending the week there on a tour is a real highlight.
“Playing at Principality Stadium on the couple of occasions I have has been awesome and getting to play Wales this year will be awesome.
“I think New Zealand teams might have taken touring a little bit for granted in the past so after Covid I guess everyone is looking forward to playing sides like Wales. It will make it a little bit more special.”
Wales haven’t beaten New Zealand since 1953 and their 2021 meeting will mark 68 years since what was one of the most famous results in Welsh rugby history.
Former Wales prop Courtney Meredith is the only player who beat the All Blacks in 1953 who is still alive today.
Wales and New Zealand have a long history of playing each other, one which dates back to 1905 and the first time the All Blacks played in Cardiff. The New Zealand Natives were also the first rugby touring team to arrive in Wales in the 1888-89 season.
Retallick is one of the few men who can rival Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones for the title of the best lock on the planet.
The New Zealander, who has won a remarkable 72 of his 81 Tests, can’t wait to lock horns with Jones once again. Retallick believes Jones, who is 35 and rugby’s most capped player on 157 caps, can make a fifth World Cup in France in 2023.
Retallick, 29 and currently playing for Kobelco Steelers in Japan, will be back in the All Blacks set-up for next season and the game with Wales. He said: “I’m not sure of Alun’s full age, but I know he’s a lot older than me!
“To be playing as well as he is at his age is no mean feat. He’s just re-signed for his club and Wales for a few more years so it’s awesome to have a player of that calibre still playing on the world stage.
“Victor Matfield played in a World Cup at 38 and so did Brad Thorn so you wouldn’t write it off.
“There is chat of him potentially being captain of the Lions so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was there again at the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
“I only know him as an opponent on the field, but someone with that much experience and respect within his country and world rugby has definitely got to be in the mix for the Lions.
“He’s achieved some awesome things over the past 12 to 18 months such as breaking the cap record. You talk about specific Lions players, but coming up against the likes of Alun Wyn and players of that quality is not something you get to do every day.
“It was really special for me personally to face off against those guys in 2017.”
TICKET INFORMATION
Wales v New Zealand, Principality Stadium – Saturday 30th October (Kick Off: tbc) CAT A £95 (£47.50) / CAT B £85 (£42.50) / CAT C £75 (£37.50) / CAT D £60 (£30) / CAT E £40 (£20)
Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium – Saturday 6th November (Kick off: tbc) CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium – Sunday 14th November (Kick off tbc) CAT A £35 (£17.50) / CAT B £25 (£12.50) / CAT C £20 (£10) / CAT D £15 (£7.50) / CAT E £10 (£5)
Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium – Saturday 20th November (Kick off tbc) CAT A £75 (£37.50) / CAT B £65 (£32.50) / CAT C £45 (£22.50) / CAT D £35 (£17.50) / CAT E £25 (£12.50)
Official WRU Hospitality packages are also now available to purchase from £295 +VAT. For more information and details of how to book CLICK HERE
Off-site hospitality packages are via Events International and can be found here and Official Travel Packages can be purchased through Gullivers Sports Travel
Supporters can purchase tickets directly by contacting their local rugby club.
For more information on the Autumn Nations Series 2021 matches at Principality Stadium, please visit: wru.wales/autumn2021.
