One man's misfortune is another's big break.
Crusaders prop Joe Moody is in line for a shock call-up to the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad.
A knee injury, first revealed by Fairfax Media yesterday, is set to sideline All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett for up to six weeks. The timing is a cruel blow with Crockett challenging Tony Woodcock for a starting role.
Crockett has been left to rehab in Christchurch, missing the All Blacks two-day training camp in Auckland, while Moody has been called in as his replacement.
"He's got a medial ligament [injury] in his knee that's playing up so he could be [out] for four to six weeks," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed yesterday. "In the meantime we've brought [Joe] Moody in to replace him at the camp.
"I'm sure with some rehab he'll [Crockett] be back quickly. It's disappointing whenever you lose someone who is playing well. It gives us the chance to work with a young guy."
The All Blacks are well served at tight-head prop. Owen Franks, Ben Afeaki, Charlie Faumuina and Ben Franks, the only front-rower who can play both sides of the scrum, are competing for the No.3 jersey.
Comparatively, depth is minimal at loose-head.
With Crockett out, 98-test veteran Woodcock will need to lift his form, though Hurricanes prop Franks can provide cover.
The All Blacks will be required to carry four props in their match-day 23-man squads - five in their full 28-man tournament contingent.
That means the 112kg, 1.88m Moody, a former New Zealand wrestler who played 16 games in his rookie season for the Crusaders this year, will be in the mix for the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on August 17.
This is the second time the 24-year-old has joined the All Blacks. He was called in to cover Woodcock and Afeaki before the first test against France at Eden Park in June. Moody then sat on the bench to watch his first All Blacks test. His second test experience could now be in a playing capacity.
"When we name the team [Sunday] we'll name Wyatt but we'll need a replacement as well," Hansen said. "With the need for four props on the bench you've got to carry five in your squad so we don't have much choice there."
Asked if it was likely an uncapped prop would be called in to replace Crockett, Hansen answered with his usual frank honesty.
"Definitely, with Wyatt being injured and unavailable for the first test we'll need a replacement. We need a specialist loose-head, clearly that's Joe because we've brought him into the camp. We've got tight-head covered."
Hansen also confirmed All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will rest his sore neck this weekend but take full part in practice matches against Wellington and Canterbury teams in Lower Hutt next week.
Blues flanker Steven Luatua is, meanwhile, understood to be on the mend from a shoulder injury. He will be fit for the first test and is expected to be picked in the squad named on Sunday.