Motocross accident set Ratima on All Black path

Growing up in the small town of PioPio, Cortez Ratima spent his childhood riding the King Country hills on his motorbike.

But this was more than a hobby for Ratima.

A teenaged Ratima was so passionate about motocross that he believed his sporting future was on two wheels, with rugby firmly in the backseat.

But one wrong turn would set him on a different path entirely.

“I would’ve been about 13, I had a motocross crash and broke my arm. At that point my old man told me to pick one or the other and just fully commit to it. So I’m glad I made the choice to come to rugby.”

Ratima said he was “unsure how good I would have been” in the extreme sports world, but “it worked out all right in the end”.

The 25-year-old admits he spent far more time on the farm riding bikes than working.

“I was mainly a gate opener for the old man,” he joked.

Ratima was not short on inspiration in his region, with the province producing two of the greatest to wear the black jerseys in Dame Farah Palmer and Sir Colin Meads.

“Even just having them come out of small towns - that’s something to aspire to, especially as a young kid growing up. Farah is pretty close in the whānau, so I would often see her at the marae or something like that whenever there was an event on.”

Despite rising to All Black status, Ratima said he is still treated as he always was in his hometown.

“It’s quite a tight-knit community, so I know everyone down there and everyone’s pretty much the same. So it’s nice going back and just catching up with everyone.”

Having made his debut in 2024, Ratima has now cemented himself as the primary deputy to incumbent halfback Cam Roigard, regarded among the world’s best players.

However, Ratima is not content playing second string.

“He’s obviously a quality player, but I want to be challenging to try and get a start, but whatever role I am playing within the team first, I’ll try and do that to the best of my abilities. But, obviously the goal is always to get to that starting position.”

A halfback who thrives in open running conditions, Ratima has been loving the more expansive gameplan implemented under coach Dave Rennie.

“It’s a hard-working style but it’s awesome, playing freely. The coaches have given the boys a lot of confidence to play what you see and be a bit more positive around it. We’ve created a lot of opportunity and an optimistic mindset. I think if we just tidy up a few of our key things, we can really put points on.”

With Ireland awaiting the All Blacks in Auckland this weekend, Ratima said the side present the sternest test of the year so far.

“We’ve obviously had quite a big rivalry with them over the last few years. So, it’ll be an exciting challenge and one we’re looking forward to.”

Outside of rugby, Ratima takes on dad duty, balancing rugby and family life with his partner and two daughters at their Hamilton home.

“It’s busy, but I love it. They’re my balance, getting away from footy. Just to come home even after a tough game and spend time with them, nothing else matters. They are a massive motivation for me. That’s a big part of my why and why I do what I do.”