Tony Woodcock scored the only All Blacks try in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Photosport
Tony Woodcock scored the only All Blacks try in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Photosport
Tony Woodcock will long be remembered by New Zealand rugby fans for his heroics in the 2011 World Cup.
The loosehead prop scored the only All Blacks try in their 8-7 win over France in the final at Eden Park, leading the side to their first world cup title sincethe tournament was first contested in 1987.
He was part of the 2015 squad who defended their title, but will be watching as a fan as the All Blacks try to secure their third straight title in Japan over the coming weeks.
Woodcock, now a farmer in Kaukapakapa, is one of 20 players from the 31-man squad to contest the 2015 Cup set to see this year's tournament through the eyes of a spectator.
Tony Woodcock scored the only All Blacks try in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Photosport
The New Zealand Rugby Players' Association looked into where the 2015 squad is today and revealed the various paths of the team – with 16 of the 20 no longer in the All Blacks squad still playing rugby around the world, with Woodcock and three others moving on to the next phase of their lives.
Hooker Keven Mealamu, the only one of the team's three hookers not to be attending this year's tournament, now owns a gym in Takanini, on the Drug Free Sport and Auckland Rugby boards and is standing for the Papakura Local Board in the upcoming local body elections.
Loose forward and captain Richie McCaw is working for and is part owner of Christchurch Helicopters, and also does promotional work and adventure racing.
Centre Conrad Smith is a qualified lawyer working part-time for International Rugby Players and is also the Director of Rugby for Pau in France.
All Blacks 2015 World Cup squad: Where are they now?
Dane Coles – Hooker Background: Born in Wellington, test debut v Scotland 2012 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Keven Mealamu – Hooker Background: Born in Tokoroa, test debut v Wales 2002 Now: owns Fit 60 gym in Takanini, on the Drug Free Sport and Auckland Rugby boards, doing leadership training, and standing for the Papakura Local Board in the upcoming local body elections.
Keven Mealamu. Photo / Photosport
Codie Taylor – Hooker Background: Born in Levin, test debut v Argentina 2015 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Wyatt Crocket – Prop Background: Born in Christchurch, test debut v Italy 2009 Now: Playing for Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup, owns a local Stirling Sports franchise, and is heading to play for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan
Charlie Faumuina – Prop Background: Born in Auckland, test debut v Argentina 2012 Now: Playing for Toulouse in France
Toulouse's Charlie Faumuina. Photo / Photosport
Ben Franks – Prop Background: Born in Melbourne, test debut v Ireland 2010 Now: Playing for Northampton Saints in England
Owen Franks – Prop Background: Born in Motueka, test debut v Italy 2009 Now: Playing for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, and then going to play for Northampton Saints in England
Tony Woodcock – Prop Background: Born in Helensville, test debut v Wales 2002 Now: Farming at Kaukapakapa
Brodie Retallick – Lock Background: Born in Rangiora, test debut v Ireland 2012 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Luke Romano – Lock Background: Born in Nelson, test debut v Ireland 2012 Now: Playing for Crusaders and Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, and has his own hunting and outdoor adventure company called Monarch
Samuel Whitelock – Lock Background: Born in Palmerston North, test debut v Ireland 2010 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Sam Cane – Loose forward Background: Born in Rotorua, test debut v Ireland 2012 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Jerome Kaino – Loose forward Background: Born in American Samoa, test debut v Ireland 2006 Now: Playing for Toulouse in France
Richie McCaw – Loose forward Background: Born in Oamaru, test debut v Ireland 2001 Now: Working for and part owner of Christchurch Helicopters, while also doing promotional work and adventure racing
Richie McCaw during a multi day adventure race. Photo / Getty
Liam Messam – Loose forward Background: Born in Blenheim, test debut v Scotland in 2008 Now: Playing for Toulon in France
Dan Carter -First five-eighths Background: Born in Southbridge, test debut v Wales 2003 Now: Recovering from neck surgery, recently released a film, doing promotional work, and heading to Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan
Dan Carter of the Kobelco Steelers. Photo / Photosport
Colin Slade – First five-eighths Background: Born in Christchurch, test debut v Australia 2010 Now: Playing for Pau in France and has recently sold his café there
Malakai Fekitoa – Centre Background: Born in Tonga, test debut v England 2014 Now: Playing for Wasps in England
Ma'a Nonu – Midfield Background: Born in Wellington, test debut v England 2003 Now: Played for Blues in 2019 and focusing on family
Conrad Smith – Centre Background: Born in Hawera, test debut v Italy 2004 Now: Qualified lawyer working part time for International Rugby Players and is also the Director of Rugby for Pau in France
Sonny Bill Williams – Midfield Background: Born in Auckland, test debut v England 2010 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
Nehe Milner-Skudder – Fullback Background: Born in Taihape, test debut v Australia 2015 Now: Rehabbing from injury with the Manawatu Mitre 10 Cup team and then heading to play for Toulon in France
Waisake Naholo – Wing Background: Born in Fiji, test Debut v Argentina 2015 Now: Playing for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup then heading to play for London Irish in England
Waisake Naholo. Photo / Photosport
Julian Savea – Wing Background: Born in Wellington, test debut v Ireland 2012 Now: Playing for Toulon in France
Ben Smith – Fullback/Wing Background: Born in Dunedin, test debut v Italy 2009 Now: In Japan with the All Blacks 2019 RWC squad
In All Blacks squad for 2019 World Cup: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith.
Playing professional rugby elsewhere: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'a Nonu, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea.
