The All Blacks and Blues prop Tony Woodcock will miss the first month of the Super Rugby season as he attempts to recover from a series of niggly injuries carried over from last year.
The 30-year-old is not expected to be fit until the Blues host the Hurricanes in the fifth round of the competition in March, meaning the veteran front rower will miss the Blues season opener against the Crusaders on February the 24th as well as their second round clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton, and two matches in South Africa.
The loss of Woodcock leaves a big hole in the Blues front row stocks, but he told management he needed more time to recover from a arduous 2011, in which he was sidelined with a foot sprain, injured elbow and torn hamstrings.
He also suffered from concussion during the World Cup before scoring the All Blacks' only try in the 8-7 final win over France at Eden Park.
