Rugby: Woodcock taking care of No 1

A rejuvenated Tony Woodcock knows tonight's game against the Crusaders will be tough. Photo / Richard Robinson

Twelve months ago it looked as if Tony Woodcock's grip on the All Blacks' No 1 jersey was slipping.

Physically he wasn't in great shape - several hamstring problems and a painful nose abscess kept him out of the first June test against France at Eden Park before he took a bench role in the second and third in Christchurch and New Plymouth behind Crusader Wyatt Crockett, who he will face in Christchurch tonight.

He wasn't in the best of form either for a struggling Highlanders team.

This year, though, he has been rejuvenated on his return to Auckland and his future up to and including next year's World Cup looks bright. Excellent form in the three test victories over England has carried on for the Blues - he played one of his best games all season in last weekend's victory over the Force in Perth.

What has changed is an improved understanding of managing his body. The 33-year-old, who has played 110 tests, realises he has to make concessions to his advancing years.

"Last year I had a couple of hamstring problems and whatnot," he said. "This year I've been managed really well and I've just been really smart about what I do and how much I do, realising that I'm getting older and you've got to take care of your body a bit better."

One of the biggest factors in his All Blacks performances against the Force after an extremely physical test series against the English was the time off given them by coach John Kirwan. He was repaid handsomely - Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino all putting in standout performances at nib Stadium. Steven Luatua put in an effort resulting in his award as players' player of the day.

"We've been having good communications with JK," Woodcock said.

"We know the expectations, what he wants from us, and we have to be honest about whether we're feeling a bit banged up, so the feedback and communication has been good."

Woodcock is aware the challenge will be different tonight. He knows there is a massive difference between taking on an Aussie pack on a hard ground in Western Australia and what is likely to be trench warfare-type conditions against an All Blacks-laden Crusaders team in mid-winter Christchurch.

Men such as Crockett, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Matt Todd and returning captain Kieran Read will be keen to atone for last weekend's poor showing against the Hurricanes in Wellington where the only positive was their eventual dominance in the scrum.

"We're going down there to play a pretty experienced and powerful Crusaders side," Woodcock said. "We just know it's going to be a big challenge and it's up to us to get ourselves right.

"They're a quality forward pack all around the park, we know they've got a very good set piece. They have a very good lineout and a very good scrum, they're just a good all-round side."

As for the expected weather - rain and overnight temperatures of zero degrees - Woodcock should be one of the lucky ones at the coalface who don't get too cold. Either way, he has a no-nonsense approach typical of a bloke with his farming background.

"We've been told it's going to be cold weather, so that's another factor, I guess. I'll just take a woollen singlet, I think."