Chiefs Cortez Ratima during the Chiefs v Moana Pasifika, Super Rugby Pacific match, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Saturday, 24 May 2025, (Photo by Mark Taylor / action press)
The Rugby Championship has been a tournament of more than two halfbacks for the All Blacks due to a slew of injuries.
Piopio’s Cortez Ratima has been out with a rib fracture and itching to get back on the field for at least one very good reason.
“I hope I’ve been making people back home proud,” he told The News. “The King Country community played a big part in my childhood and I really feel the love and support from them.”
A rib fracture suffered in the second clash against the Pumas in August has kept Cortez sidelined since.
Fortunately, it appears the plucky Chiefs scrumhalf could be back in action against Australia.
“The injury is progressing well,” he told The News. “I’ve been back into training now and hoping I’ll be ready to go in time for the Bledisloe matches.”
The Championship has proved a headache for All Black coach, Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson during to a growing butcher’s bill, especially at halfback.
Former St Peter’s Cambridge star, Cam Roigard (Hurricanes), and Hamilton Boys’ old boy, Noah Hotham (Crusaders), are yet to put in an appearance during the competition so far. This has left Finlay Christie (Blues) to shoulder the duties at the back of the pack, backed by rookie, Kyle Preston (Crusaders).
Despite this, commitment from the All Black squad should keep the Bledisloe Cup out of Australian hands and secure another Rugby Championship title in the process, Cortez said.
“I think we’ve shown some good signs, although there have also been times that we haven’t lived up to our own standards. But it was awesome to see the guys put out a strong performance against the Springboks (on September 13), he said.”
“We certainly don’t underestimate any of these teams – it’s been extremely tight in this year and any team could win any game. We just have to focus on the next game ahead and let the results take care of themselves.”
