Rugby: Woodcock's return a week-by-week case

Tony Woodcock is still suffering from an ear infection. Photo / Getty Images

Prop Tony Woodcock's availability for the Blues' Super 14 rugby campaign is on hold as he continues to overcome an ear infection.

The 49-test All Black, who missed last weekend's 63-34 drubbing by the Chiefs, is still suffering from dizziness and could be out for three or four more weeks, team doctor Stephen Kara said today.

His place in the side against the Waratahs in Auckland on Friday night has gone to Super rugby rookie Tevita Mailau, who also deputised against the Chiefs.

Kara said Woodcock, who saw an ear, throat and nose specialist this week, had some mild hearing loss and a viral infection in his inner ear affecting a nerve.

"Essentially it means he has lost balance and that is his biggest problem," he said.

"He's now back to doing some static-type exercises so he is sitting on a bike and doing seated weights, but after that he struggles with too much exertion. He gets quite dizzy still."

Woodcock also felt unsteady after the 70km drive from his house to Eden Park this morning, Kara said.

That problem would right itself, but exactly when that would be was unknown.

"It's going to take anything from one week to three weeks, four weeks," he said.

"We just don't know. It's on a week-by-week basis."

Kara said the infection was that type that could have been picked up from anyone.

Coach Pat Lam said Woodcock's unavailability was a concern from a coaching point of view, as the earlier prognosis was that he would be right in a couple of days.

"Obviously for his own health, too, we're hoping he will recover fast."

In the wake of the Blues' loss to the Chiefs, Lam has made three personnel changes to the starting 15 and reshuffled the backline.

Paul Williams returns at fullback, after making a comeback from injury off the bench against the Chiefs.

Williams' inclusion means Isaia Toeava goes to centre and Anthony Tuitavake shifts to the wing in place of Rene Ranger, who drops to the reserves.

Also going to the bench is inside back Michael Hobbs, who has been the starting second five-eighth for the past two rounds, but trades place with Jamie Helleur.

In the forwards, a hamstring injury to veteran loose forward Justin Collins means Onosa'i Auva'a is elevated to the No 7 jersey.

The Blues have a bye next week and Collins is expected to be available for the following match, against the Lions in Auckland, as is fellow loosie Josh Blackie, who has an ankle injury.

Lam said the changes to the backline added more experience in that department.

Of the Blues' defensive woes, which have seen them leak more points, 196 in six matches, than any other side in the competition, Lam said there was confidence that the systems were working.

"It's about guys staying in there and there was a bit of finger pointing by the senior guys and everybody's talking about it," he said

"It just takes one to come out and it makes it hard for everyone else. The attitude towards this week has been great and we need to put it on the park on Friday night."

Blues
Paul Williams, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Jamie Helleur, Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Gopperth, Taniela Moa, Jerome Kaino, Onosa'i Auva'a, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tevita Mailau.

Reserves - Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Anthony Boric, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Michael Hobbs, Rene Ranger.

- NZPA