Owen Franks didn't sign up for this nonsense.

If ever a rugby player was built for scrummaging, it is tighthead prop Franks, a bloke listed at 118-kilograms on the hoof but looks at least a couple of clicks heavier considering his torso appears as weighty as a kauri stump and his legs as solid as a pair of strainer posts.

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Before last weekend's World Cup quarterfinal against France, the All Blacks forwards were amped to ensure their scrum, which had been scratchy in the pool games against Argentina, Georgia and Tonga, wasn't going to be bettered in Cardiff.

Probably the most nervous person in Millennium Stadium was the groundsman, no doubt aware of the mess the All Blacks forwards helped make at St James' Park when they packed down their scrums against Tonga the previous weekend.

As it happened the groundsman didn't need to fret. For Franks, though, that was no consolation.

He was eager to test his power and technique against the French, a nation who treat their front-rowers like rock stars, but had to wait until the 32nd minute for the first scrum – a remarkable statistic given the first set-piece is usually completed well inside the first quarter of the game.

"It was strange," Franks said.

"You sort of get a bit anxious when you get to the 30th minute and they still haven't had one.

"I guess I just tried to make the most of the one I had. It is a little bit hollow coming off the field and having just one scrum, that is for sure …"

Franks was replaced by Charlie Faumuina in the 50th minute. At least the former got to experience one scrum, unlike loosehead Wyatt Crockett who was replaced by Joe Moody in the 28th minute because of a groin strain.

Crockett looked a picture of frustration as he settled on to the bench at Millennium Stadium, having been picked to start the biggest game of his life because Tony Woodcock was ruled out of the tournament with a calf muscle injury.

That opened-up the chance for Joe Moody, Crockett's team-mate from the Crusaders and Canterbury, to pack down seven scrums in the 62-13 win and prove he is capable of starting against the Springboks in the semifinal at Twickenham on Sunday morning (NZT) if Crockett is scratched.

Crockett is still being assessed. He didn't train in London overnight. An announcement on his availability is expected on Friday morning (NZT).

Moody won't have lacked for comradeship when he took the field in the biggest match for the All Blacks since the 2011 World Cup final at Eden Park.

Lock Sam Whitelock, who a couple of seasons ago was instrumental in encouraging Moody to be more disciplined with his diet and alcohol intake when they flatted together in Christchurch, was there to urge his mate to back himself.

"You saw that with Joe, getting of the plane a few days before, and going out there and having a really good game," Whitelock said.

"All the guys were really encouraging him, just to play his natural game and I think he did that really well.

"Obviously I have a great relationship with Joe. I have had a number of years playing alongside him with Canterbury and the Crusaders, it is great it is kind of the old glove that still fits."