Kiwis play it safe with Woodcock

The All Blacks are taking no chances with experienced loosehead prop Tony Woodcock who will not feature against the Wallabies due to a rib injury.

The 87-Test veteran sustained the injury during New Zealand's 27-19 win over the Wallabies in the opening match of the four-nation Rugby Championship in Sydney last weekend and will miss the return Bledisloe Cup fixture at his home ground Eden Park.

Woodcock was the only player in the All Black squad unable to train on Tuesday and is likely to be replaced in the starting line-up by Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett who only has six Test caps to his name.

This drop in experience will be a good Test for the powerful All Blacks scrum that was dominant in Sydney and provided the platform for their two tries.

The All Blacks have not lost to the Wallabies at Eden Park since 1986, and they will be determined to clinch their tenth consecutive Bledisloe Cup when they run out at the venue of the triumph over France in the World Cup Final last year.

The Wallabies have injury woes of their own with captain and openside flank David Pocock undergoing knee surgery that will rule him out of the game for three months.