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Tony Woodcock - Source: Photosport
Veteran Blues prop Tony Woodcock is set for a delayed start to the season as injury continues to hamper the Super Rugby centurion.
Woodcock was an unlikely hero during last year's Rugby World Cup, scoring the All Blacks' only try in the tense 8-7 final win over France. However the 30-year-old nearly didn't make the tournament as his Super Rugby campaign was disrupted by a ligament sprain in his foot.
Now his 2012 season is also under an injury cloud and he has been granted a late start to the season.
Blues coach Pat Lam told ONE News that Woodcock is suffering from "quite a few niggles" and will not play until they return from South Africa for their round five clash with the Hurricanes at Eden Park.
"Tony's alway good for that and it's about making sure that mentally and physically he's ready to go. After so many years of service in dark places in the front row I think he deserves that," Lam said today.
The unavailability will add to the inexperience in the Blues' propping department, following the departure of fellow All Black John Afoa to Ulster. However Lam is adamant they've got the depth to fill the gap in the early part of the season.
"I think because we knew that early and Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau have been with us a while and we've got young blood in Angus Ta'avao and Pauliasi Manu.
Lam said the young players have stepped up their work rates as they look to challenge to fill the places left vacant by the veterans.
"As soon as they got a sniff of an opportunity I've seen the training and the work they've put in, they're all fighting for those places now.
"They know it's a dawn of a new era if you like those three guys (Woodcock, Afoa and Keven Mealamu) are our only centurions so it's a chance for these guys to step up.
"For me as a coach and us as a group it's embracing the challenge and the competition can only be won with the whole squad and this is a chance for them to start off."
