Specialist treatment puts Woodcock on course

The growing coaching entourage that attaches itself to modern rugby sides is a source of concern to many rugby purists.

For Blues prop Tony Woodcock it has been a blessing. His career was rescued by the presence of specialist scrum coach Mike Cron on the All Black end-of-season tour.

The 24-year-old loosehead had been on the fringes of the All Black squad throughout 2004. He started against Argentina, played well against their ferocious scrummaging power but was only ever filling in for the more powerful, experienced Kees Meeuws.

The selectors viewed the versatile Greg Somerville as a better option to have on the bench which meant Woodcock was one of the four unlucky All Blacks to watch most of last year's programme from the stand.

His luck took a brief turn for the better at the end of the NPC when Meeuws announced he was joining French club Castres. It was, though, only a brief lifting of his fortunes.

The previously unheard of Saimone Taumoepeau, with only five NPC games to his credit, was hailed by the All Black coaches as the new scrummaging prototype. The explosive drive of the Auckland man and his frighteningly good technique earned him a test start in the first game against Italy.

The Italian scrum was destroyed and Taumoepeau's name appeared on the score sheet as the All Blacks romped to a comprehensive victory.

Woodcock's chance came against Wales the following week - a much more rugged unit and a much tougher game for the All Blacks.

The All Black scrum stood steady without ever dominating and there were dark mutterings at the ease with which the Welsh pack were able to maul big yards.

A late-escape win left Woodcock unsure about his chances of another run. Cron swung the vote his way when he suggested Woodcock was the right man to take on France. "It was a little bit touch and go to be honest," says Woodcock in reference to his selection chances after the Welsh test.

"I thought I had a solid game against Wales and had given myself a good opportunity to get the starting spot. But you just don't know what the coaches are thinking.

"Mike Cron saw a few things I needed to change. It's not top secret but it's pretty boring I suppose. He gave me advice about a few small things that I couldn't tell I was doing. Things like foot placement. He told me I could dip my head just before engagement. I learnt a lot from Mike."

When the game in Paris was reduced to Golden Oldie rules following injuries to two props, there was no doubt as to who the number one number one actually was.

A badly cut foot caused by standing on hidden glass at the beach ruled Woodcock out of the opening two Super 12 rounds.

But he returned strongly against the Chiefs and is determined to show that Cron was right to back him the way he did.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY