All Blacks lock Luke Romano talks about the team's performance against Tonga, sharing some kind words for injured veteran prop Tony Woodcock.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock has a potentially serious hamstring injury that could end his World Cup and test career.

The veteran loosehead put in a mixed performance in the All Blacks' 47-9 win over Tonga in Newcastle on Saturday (NZ time).

He copped two scrum penalties and was handed out some punishment in the loose by the tough Tongan forwards but scored a crucial try just before halftime that helped the All Blacks to a wobbly 14-3 lead at the break.

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Tony Woodcock in action for the All Blacks against Tonga before limping off early in the second half with a hamstring injury.

Three minutes into the second spell, Woodcock limped from the field clutching his hamstring, cutting short his 118th test appearance. The grimace on his face and downbeat body language painted a telling picture and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed the injury could be career-ending.

"If it's a bad tear for a front-rower, there's a lot of stress that goes through your buttocks and hamstrings it could be reasonably serious. We won't know until he pulls up tomorrow," Hansen said.

"He's played a lot of games for the All Blacks and if this happens to be the end of his time it would be a sad way to finish because he's been a great All Black and probably deserves to go out better than that."

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Blues team-mate Jerome Kaino was hopeful Woodcock would pull through.

"I hope I get to play another game with him," Kaino said. "He's been a huge part of my career. I'd love to run out there with him again. I think he was running too fast out there on the wing and pulled his hammy."

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock's career could be over after he limped off the field early in the second half against Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.

If Woodcock is ruled out of the tournament, Wyatt Crockett will step into his shoes and Canterbury loosehead Joe Moody or tighthead Nepo Laulala may receive the call up.

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Fellow All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina sat out the win over Tonga with a minor hamstring complaint.