All Blacks legend Tony Woodcock’s Test career is over after a serious injury ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup, coach Steve Hansen said on Saturday.
“He has played his last Test,” Hansen said, announcing the news on Twitter. “It’s obviously gutting and disappointing for Woody.”
Woodcock, 34, was injured in the 47-9 win over Tonga at Newcastle on Friday (Saturday morning AEDT).
He became a national hero by scoring the All Blacks’ only try in their 8-7 win over France in the 2011 World Cup final. He got his 10th international try in Friday’s win.
Woodcock made 118 New Zealand appearances and is the All Blacks most capped prop.
Crusaders prop Joe Moody has been called into the squad. Moody, 27, had been due to play for Canterbury province on Saturday but instead went to the airport to fly to England.
Woodcock’s departure will be a fresh blow to the All Blacks who won all their four Pool C matches but have sown doubts in peoples’ minds over whether they can become the first team to defend the title following some error-marked performances.
Rugby commentators consider Woodcock to be one of the best loosehead props of all time.
A serious shoulder injury had ruled Woodcock out of most of the 2014 season. He returned this year but had limited playing time with the Auckland Blues because of further injury.
Outside of rugby, Woodcock has a sheep and dairy farm.
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