RWC 2015: New Zealand's Tony Woodcock suffers hamstring injury to end his All Blacks career

Tony Woodcock will miss the rest of the tournament after picking up a hamstring injury against Tonga

 

Nathan Hyde
Saturday 10 October 2015 22:18 BST
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Tony Woodcock has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury against Tonga
Tony Woodcock has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury against Tonga (gettyimages)

New Zealand prop Tony Woodcock has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby World Cup with a hamstring injury.

The 34-year-old limped from the field early in the second half of the 47-9 win over Tonga in the All Blacks final Pool C clash. New Zealand then announced that the Auckland Blues prop will be sidelined for atleast three weeks and replaced by Joe Moody.

It means the veteran props' career is now over, as he announced back in June that he would retire from rugby at the end of the tournament.

Woodcock made 118 appearances for New Zealand after making his debut in 2002. He has been a regular in the All Blacks front row for over a decade and helped his country to a World Cup title in 2011.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said: "It's obviously gutting and dissapointing for Woody, he has played his last Test. All New Zealanders should be very proud of him."

The 27-year-old Moody, who made all eight of his international appearances last season, was due to play for his Canterbury province in a National Championship match on Saturday, but was then sent to the airport to fly out and join up with the squad.

He will provide cover for the four All Blacks props in the 31-man squad - Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett.

The World Champions next game is against either France or Ireland in the quarter finals at the Millennium Stadium.

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