Rugby World Cup 2015: Pauliasi Manu gets All Blacks call-up

Counties Manukau and Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu. Photo / Getty

Pauliasi Manu is on his way to England as prop cover after Wyatt Crockett was ruled out of Sunday's World Cup semifinal against South Africa.

Crockett's groin injury suffered in last weekend's quarter-final win over France has not healed sufficiently, but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is hopeful the Crusaders loosehead will be available for next weekend's match - either a final at Twickenham or a bronze medal match at Olympic Stadium.

With Tony Woodcock ruled out of the tournament with a torn hamstring suffered in the final pool match against Tonga in Newcastle, the All Blacks have been granted permission by the World Cup organisers to call up Counties and Chiefs prop Manu.

Joe Moody will start the match against the Boks at Twickenham in the No1 jersey after impressing hugely against the French in Cardiff, with Hansen saying there was never any debate about whether he would claim his spot ahead of Ben Franks, who has been named on the reserves bench.

"Ben Franks is a very good prop, he plays both sides, but Joe Moody has shown us he's a very good player," Hansen said. "We know he's a very good player. He showed it in his performance last week so it's a no brainer."

According to World Cup rules, Manu must serve a stand-down period of 48 hours after his arrival from New Zealand before he is eligible to play. Hansen said the 27-year-old would be allowed to work out in the gym with his teammates, and stay in the same Weybridge hotel as them, but he would not be allowed to train on the field with them until either Crockett or another prop was ruled out next week.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, a teammate of Manu's at the Chiefs, said he had no doubt the uncapped player could cope at the next level should he be required next weekend.

"It will be good to see him. Obviously it would have been a nice surprise to get the phone call. It will be good to have him over here - he's a quality player," Retallick said.

"He's shown over the last few years in Super Rugby that he can hold his own at scrum time. He's very physical defensively and at clearing rucks so he's got all the attributes to take it up to this level."

Moody, who will be playing his 10th test, has prepared for the Boks under the close eye of Woodcock and Crockett and said the All Blacks' directive to improve his fitness had helped his progress enormously.

"That was Steve's key message to me when I was told I wasn't going to make that initial squad - to go away and work on my fitness," he said. "Back at Canterbury I've been doing my fitness and extras after training. I've been front-loading my week and going hard on Mondays and Tuesdays.

"For me, nothing changes. I'll prepare the same as for any other game. I know there's a bit more riding on this one since it's the semifinal of a Rugby World Cup, but no, I'll just have to prepare the same as any other game."

- By Patrick McKendry in London

All Blacks team to play South Africa at Twickenham on Sunday:

15. Ben Smith
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma'a Nonu
11. Julian Savea
10. Daniel Carter
9. Aaron Smith
8. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (c)
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Retallick
3. Owen Franks
2. Dane Coles
1. Joe Moody

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.