Another casualty: Tony Woodcock

Prop Tony Woodcock suffered an acute calf strain at training yesterday and has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s match against the Reds.

This latest casualty means Tevita Mailau moves into the starting line-up to replace Woodcock and Auckland prop Angus Ta’avao will be the bench replacement.
In the absence of Keven Mealamu, Luke Braid will again captain the team.

Some good news on the injury front is Rudi Wulf returns to the side this week after a shoulder injury kept him out of last week’s match against the Highlanders.

 Starting XV:
1. Tevita Mailau
2. Tom McCartney
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Ali Williams
5. Filo Paulo
6. Daniel Braid
7. Luke Braid ©
8. Peter Saili
9. Piri Weepu
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Rudi Wulf
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Rene Ranger
14. George Moala
15. Hadleigh Parkes*

Replacements:
16. James Parsons*
17. Angus Ta’avao*
18. Liaki Moli
19. Chris Lowrey
20. Alby Mathewson
21. Michael Hobbs
22. Benson Stanley (50th Blues game)

* – Wider Training Group

Unavailable – Tony Woodcock (calf) Keven Mealamu (calf), Jerome Kaino (shoulder) Isaia Toeava (hip) and Anthony Boric (neck)