Woodcock cleared for Welsh challenge
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:51
Free man: Tony Woodcock has been cleared to face Wales
New Zealand coach Graham Henry was able to name his strongest available side to play Wales, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, after prop Tony Woodcock was cleared on a punching charge.
Woodcock was sent to the sin-bin and subsequently cited for throwing a punch during the All Blacks' 22-3 victory over Ireland at Croke Park last Saturday.
But an International Rugby Board hearing on Wednesday ruled no further punishment of the loosehead prop was necessary.
At the IRB hearing Woodcock admitted that he had committed an act of foul play, in that he struck an opponent with his hand, in the international at Croke Park.
"While upholding the citing by the IRB's independent Citing Commissioner and as accepted by the player, the IRB Judicial Officer, Professor Lorne Crerar [Scotland] considered that the act of foul play did not warrant a red card and no further sanction was appropriate," the ITB said in a statement.
Now the only confirmed alteration to the starting side that beat Ireland is the injured-enforced replacement of outside centre Conrad Smith, struggling with a groin problem, by Richard Kahui.
Henry has still to decide between Neemia Tialata and John Afoa at tighthead prop.
Wales haven't beaten the All Blacks since 1953, a run encompassing 19 Tests.
But former Wales coach Henry said he expected the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions, now under the care of another New Zealander in Warren Gatland, to push his side hard.
"As we all know, Wales are a very good team. They play an expansive style of attacking rugby and have talent across the park, so it's shaping up to be another classic encounter," Henry predicted.
Tri-Nations champions New Zealand are bidding to complete a Grand Slam of their own against the four Home Nations.
They are half-way there having already beaten Scotland (32-6 at Murrayfield) and Ireland.
But on Tuesday a largely second-string team was pushed all the way by European club champions Munster before wing Joe Rokocoko's try in the closing minutes saw them beat the Irish province 18-16 at Limerick's Thomond Park.
New Zealand's tour concludes with a Test against England at Twickenham on November 29.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata/ John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 TBC, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
(South Africa)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England) , Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* Can the Welsh stop the Kiwi march? This is the right place for that debate.
