Rugby: Woodcock still undecided

Tony Woodcock's injury puts him out of the game tonight. Photo / Christine Cornege

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock hasn't made up his mind about whether he will return to the Blues.

The 34-year-old is unavailable for tonight's Hurricanes match because of a shoulder injury, a similar problem to the one which curtailed his games for the All Blacks last year.

Surgery after the June series against England forced him out of the Rugby Championship and tour of the United Kingdom.

In the meantime Crusaders Wyatt Crockett and Joe Moody have taken their chances with the national team, so it is likely Woodcock is waiting to see if he can force his way back into Steve Hansen's reckoning before making a decision on the Blues.

Speaking before his latest injury, suffered in the victory over the Bulls at Eden Park last weekend, Woodcock said: "I've never indicated either way, really. I'm just going to wait and see what happens throughout the next wee while and make a decision then, I guess.

"It's going to all depend on body and mind."

Woodcock would be a significant loss to the Blues if he did leave - and the likely destination would be his farm near Helensville, rather than a club abroad.

Hooker Keven Mealamu has already told the franchise he won't be returning, with 23-year-old prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi understood to be holding off on recommitting.

Woodcock said the All Blacks remained a big focus but watching Crockett wear the black No 1 jersey last year wasn't too painful.

"Not at all. Obviously I know Crocky really well and he's a good player. It's good to see him playing well, he's a quality guy. Obviously it makes you pretty keen to get back amongst it.

"That's the whole reason why you play the game - you want to be part of that team."

Lock Hayden Triggs yesterday got the all-clear on his calf injury to take his place on the reserves bench.