Woodcock's season is over
All Black prop Tony Woodcock will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the international season, coach Steve Hansen said Friday.
Hansen said the 110-Test veteran would be sidelined for five months, while lock Dominic Bird was out for three weeks with a toe strain.
Hansen said Woodcock's injury would allow the 33-year-old to have a proper rest and be fresh for next year's World Cup defence in England.
"Every dark cloud has a bit of silver lining and for him it will be an opportunity to do something he hasn't done for 12 seasons, and that's get a good off-season," he told reporters.
"That will be important because it will freshen him up and he'll be hungry to get into it next year."
Hansen said the uncapped Joe Moody had been called in to replace Woodcock, although Wyatt Crockett is set to start as loosehead prop in New Zealand's opening Rugby Championship match against Australia in Sydney on August 16.
He said Jeremy Thrush would replace Bird in the Championship squad.
* Meanwhile in a pre-reason practice match – played in wet conditions at Albany's North Harbour Stadium on Friday – the All Blacks beat North Harbour 41-5 and Northland 19-7 in separate halves.
North Harbour struggled to contain the All Blacks who worked several slashing moves to stretch the home team's defences, but Northland proved more combative and scored a stunning try when loose forward Kara Pryor crossed after some superbly executed lead-up work.
"It was a good hit out for us," Hansen said.
"The guys hadn't played for a while and in the second half that showed and we got what we desired."
Scorers and scorers:
All Blacks 41-5 North Harbour
Scorers:
All Blacks:
Tries: Coles, C Smith, Cane, Jane, Christie, Kerr-Barlow
Cons: Nonu 3
North Harbour:
Try: Li
Teams:
New Zealand:
Forwards: Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Tony Woodcock (Blues), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Dominic Bird (Crusaders), Richie McCaw (captain, Crusaders), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Steven Luatua (Blues).
Backs: Aaron Smith (Otago Highlanders), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), Colin Slade (Crusaders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Ma'a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Ben Smith (Highlanders), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Charles Piutau (Blues).
North Harbour: 15 Luke Devich, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Niko Ratumaitavuki, 12 Matt McGahan, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jimmy Tuivaiti, 7 Mario Ozich, 6 Jordan Manihera, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Brandon Nansen, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Nic Mayhew.
Replacements – from: Ray Nuia, Greg Pleasant-Tate, Franck Fricconet, Mike Farmer, Luke Hamilton, Jona Tuitoga, Denis Pili Gaitau, Leigh Thompson, James Doyle, Rodrigo Costa, Gerard Tutoi-Mariner.
All Blacks 19-7 Northland
Scorers:
All Blacks:
Tries: Mealamu, Jane 2
Cons: Barrett 2
Northland:
Try: Pryor
Con: Fosita
Teams:
New Zealand:
Forwards: Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Tony Woodcock (Blues), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Dominic Bird (Crusaders), Richie McCaw (captain, Crusaders), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Steven Luatua (Blues).
Backs: Aaron Smith (Otago Highlanders), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), Colin Slade (Crusaders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Ma'a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Ben Smith (Highlanders), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Charles Piutau (Blues).
Northland squad: Ross Wright, Matthew Moulds, Matt Talaese, Shane Neville, Tom Murday, Dan Pryor, Jack Ram, Cam Eyre (captain), Kurt Davies, Daniel Hawkins, Jone Macilai, Troy Gilbert, Warren Dunn, Tevita Tuipulotu, Mathew Wright, Jordan Olsen, Howard Silioto, Namatahi Waa, Will Griff John, Miracle Tulua, Paul Tuaimalo, Kara Pryor, Sonatane Takalua, Latiume Fosita, Matt Vaega, Ben Mathers.
Source: All Blacks media unit
