All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick says the likely absence of long‑time locking partner Sam Whitelock from the first Test against Wales provides a chance for others to benefit.

Retallick, who was absent from the All Blacks first week of preparations due to impending fatherhood joined the squad this week after the birth of daughter Sienna.

Retallick said that in comparison to the start of previous campaigns he thought the team was ‘sitting pretty well’.

Meanwhile good news for rugby fans as Sky Pacific has confirmed that they have secured the rights to televise the live test matches of the home test series of the All Blacks, Wallabies and the Springboks.

The All Blacks play Wales in their first test match at 7.35pm this Saturday the Wallabies play England at 10pm while the Springboks play Ireland at 3am Sunday.

We are yet to get confirmation on the Rugby Championships which will be held in August.