Rugby: All Blacks' first-five casualty list

APNZ

25 Aug, 2013 05:30 PM2 mins to read

All Blacks loose-head prop Tony Woodcock has marked his 100th All Blacks Test cap in front of a sell-out Bledisloe Cup crowd at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium tonight. Since his debut against Wales at Cardiff in 2002, Woodcock has been one of the game’s toughest toilers at the top level. His durability and consistently high standard as one of the world’s best loose-head props has seen him described as one of rugby’s quiet achievers. At 32, Woodcock now joins a small group of All Blacks to mark the rare milestone - his Rugby World Cup 2011 champion teammates captain Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu.

The All Blacks' first-five injury dramas have continued with debutant Tom Taylor ruled out for three weeks with a rib injury after Saturday night's 27-16 win over Australia in Wellington.

Taylor made a promising debut in the No10 jersey as New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup but left the field in the final stages of the match and All Black coach Steve Hansen confirmed yesterday the player would spend three weeks on ice.

Luckily for Hansen, the All Blacks have a week off in the Rugby Championship this weekend and next take the field against Argentina in Hamilton on September 7.

Pivots Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett, who both missed Saturday's test with calf problems, are likely to be fit to meet the Pumas but Colin Slade will stay with the squad as a precaution when they reassemble in Hamilton on Saturday. First-five Aaron Cruden (knee) remains out.

"They trained [last week] well - Crudes didn't but the other two did so they are where we would expect them to be and the doctor is reasonably comfortable that they will be all right," Hansen said.

Tighthead prop Owen Franks experienced pain in his groin after Saturday night's test and Hansen said another prop would join the squad this week as cover with Ben Afeaki or Jeffery Toomaga-Allen shaping as the potential new face.

Hansen said blindside flanker Liam Messam would also be considered for the test in Hamilton as he recovers from a hamstring strain.