The Chiefs have confirmed they approached All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick in a bid to secure his services for the newly formed Super Rugby Aotearoa.
But Rettalick declined the offer.
Their approach follows the Crusaders' allowing Sam Whitelock to join their squad.
Sitting on a four-win, two-loss record when Super Rugby stalled, the Chiefs had certainly found their feet under Warren Gatland.
And with the revised domestic competition now just a month away, they were almost delivered a timely boost, with Gatland confirming he approached Retallick about rejoining his old team, albeit unsuccessfully.
The 28-year-old lock is back in the country, after his Kobe Steelers sabbatical was cut short by the COVID-enforced cancellation of the Japanese league.
Gatland concedes distance was a likely factor in his decision not to take up the offer.
[Source: Newshub]
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