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.
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
A rugby great and mastermind has retired, we will miss your presence on the field!
Riccardo
Guest
Poor Tony man. Bet he's gutted not to at least make the end of the tournament. What a servant of the game over here. Met him too. Top bloke. There's probably a pallet of Speights somewhere with his name on it. Onya and all the best Woody...
Not Bothered
Guest
I think Crockett is better.
Not Bothered
Guest
Rubbish.
Kohatu
Guest
I agree with your thoughts too, WQ. To Kuruki you wrote;" Looking forward to seeing what Hansen and co have been brewing behind black fences. Hopefully the boys can come out and put three good performances together and make history. It would be a shame if they didn’t considering they have destroyed the notion that EVERY match in an All Black jersey matters, because quite clearly they have told us the past month that it really doesn’t." Mate I think you along with other AB supporters et al are being rather harsh. The All Blacks have IMHO only held back on their game plans, tactics and strategies in the pool games. They certainly didn't hold back in the way they played which was to go hard out in the games against Argentina, Namibia, Georgia and Tonga. Had they not; then we would have seen a result similar to the South Africa vs Japan match. For me the All Blacks won each game very convincingly; giving no quarter yet playing with respect to each of their in pool play opponents. I must say that it's a pity Shag felt he had to comment about not showing everything that the ABs have in their plays because quite frankly he didn't have to say anything along those lines. All he has done is introduce an element of doubt to many AB supporters which is totally unnecessary. Shag should just keep to script and say something along the lines of we are building as we go along in the tournament. He did say we're taking it one game at a time which is the correct strategy. Simple and effective. Who will win RWC 2015? There are eight teams left to contest at the Quarter Finals of the RWC tournament. Apologies to Scotland and Wales (who couldn't put 13 Wallabies away) so I cannot see either of these sides getting to the final let alone winning the cup. It will be out of the following six teams being either New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Australia, France and Ireland. One of these will win it. The question to ask is out of these teams who has the most experience players, the most with bench impact and can manage their game under pressure. The All Blacks have this in spades. Injuries/suspensions notwithstanding Australia have just shown against Wales they have this in spades also therefore IMHO opinion the Wallabies will be in the final. The other sides all have experience players as well so maybe winning and losing in the Quarter, Semi and Final may come down to the unknowns like referee (TMO) decisions/interpretations of penalties and/or tries, possible injuries to key players, possible adverse weather. Therefore, which of the following sides will meet the Wallabies in the Final. Will it be South Africa, Argentina, France, Ireland or the All Blacks. After next weekend's Quarter Final; I think we will have a clearer picture!?
the french
Roar Rookie
One of the best props of all time. An All Black and a Rugby great retires. Thank you for the mmasterclass. All the best for his personal and professional future. Strangely, i feel this is what the All Blacks need right now as they have been challenged up forward.
bennalong
Guest
He seems to have been there forever. It's a tough game for thirty year olds now if your an international. Seasons too long and too many games. He might be relieved. Best wishes t an old school tradesman, Tony!
bennalong
Guest
Crockett? Really Peter?
WQ
Guest
Well Done Tony Woodcock, to stay at the top as long as you have is a wonderful tribute to one of the worlds best loose head props
Dejos
Guest
An under-rated and understated player for many years, who was rarely beaten in the scrum and did more than his share in the loose. Him and his mates dominated some pretty good scrums in their heyday. Will be interesting to see if the AB's can match the WB scrum if they get there, we saw it when they beat us in Oz this year, and again though the WRC. Damn that must feel good to be a WB tightie after a few years of getting their beans, esp skating England backwards. I'm still picking a AB v WB final with the AB's to take it by a DC droppie. But looking forward to seeing the AB's tested properly, would be a bummer to go home with the tricks all still in the bag....
DC-NZ
Guest
Woody scored some nice tries on the wing v the Wallabies as well as grunting it up front !
PeterK
Roar Guru
All the best , great servant for NZ. At his best was the best LHP in the world. IMO like De Villiers for Boks and Palu for Aust this was a 'lucky' injury in that the replacement starting player is better or improves balance of the squad
Black Hearted
Guest
All the best Woody you have been an outstanding player over a long period of time!
DJM
Guest
Very unfortunate for Tony W. Great player , fantastic scrummager and ultimate competitor . Good luck to him . (Wallabies supporter) -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Sad way for Woody to sign off. Looking forward to seeing what Hansen and co have been brewing behind black fences. Hopefully the boys can come out and put three good performances together and make history. It would be a shame if they didn't considering they have destroyed the notion that EVERY match in an All Black jersey matters, because quite clearly they have told us the past month that it really doesn't.