10 Sep 2012

AB's spend first day in Woodcocks new city

3:08 pm on 10 September 2012

The All Blacks had a rest day in Dunedin today ahead of this weekend's Rugby Championship match against South Africa and the Highlanders new signing Tony Woodcock was the centre of attention.

The veteran All Blacks prop is leaving the Blues to join the Highlanders next Super Rugby season, bolstering the southerners front-row stocks which include Andrew Hore and Jamie McIntosh.

Woodcock says while he wants to continue playing rugby and living in New Zealands, he's looking for a fresh challenge after 10 years and 113 games for the Blues.

The 31-year-old says it was a big call and not an easy one to make but he thinks the decision is best for him and his family.

The loss of Woodcock, who's widely considered the world's best loosehead prop, will make the rebuilding task for the new Blues coach Sir John Kirwan that much tougher next season.