As the rugby landscape in New Zealand undergoes a transformation with the departure of the legendary Aaron Smith, a new era beckons for the No 9 jersey, and Cortez Ratima stands poised at the forefront of this significant shift. The emerging star is in the running for his first All Blacks call-up in 2024 and is gearing up to take on the starting role for the Chiefs, succeeding Brad Weber, who has embarked on a new journey in France.
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Ratima faces stiff competition, given the wealth of talent across New Zealand’s Super Rugby squads, each boasting potential or established All Blacks at his position. However, Ratima holds a valuable advantage in his partnership with Chiefs halves maestro, Damian McKenzie, a dynamic duo that could influence the selection choices of incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson, a proponent of team chemistry, may find the Ratima-McKenzie pairing to be a winning formula. Ratima acknowledges the challenge, recognizing the unpredictable nature of McKenzie’s play. He quoted Weber’s insights, saying, “You just adapt and try to react to whatever he calls because he makes the magic happen.”
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The young talent, though, must balance ambition with the reality of a high ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined for most of the preseason training. Despite the setback, Ratima remains optimistic, stating, “I’ve just been trying to get that right, and the body right, for pre-season training. They’re an annoying type of injury… It’s been good to start running again.”
However, the prospect of a delayed return opens the door for teammates Xavier Roe and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi to make a case for the coveted starting position. Ratima, undeterred by the competition within the squad, maintains his focus on personal improvement, saying, “I’m looking forward to the year, putting my best foot forward and competing at training, and let the coaches do their job.”
With aspirations for the All Blacks, Ratima draws from his diverse international experiences, having represented the New Zealand Under-20s, the New Zealand Māori Under-20s, the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sevens, and the All Blacks XV. Reflecting on his time with the national sides, he remarked, “Being around TJ [Perenara] and Cam [Roigard] was there as well, it was awesome to be in that environment and get a taste of what it is like.”
As the race for the coveted All Blacks halfback position intensifies, Ratima stands ready for the challenge, showcasing the resilience and determination characteristic of a Chiefs prodigy eager to make his mark on the rugby world.
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