OPINION: Joe Moody's run of injuries has been both a blessing and a curse for the All Blacks.
With his tour over and his eyelid torn, Moody will spend the next couple of weeks in camp watching others do his job.
By all accounts, the details of the injury are gruesome. His eyelid was split vertically by a rogue hand at lineout practice, leaving him bloodied and unable to close it.
Three layers of stitching were required, but the All Blacks have become used to fixing up the holes left by Moody's bad luck this year.
If it wasn't for shoulder, thumb, finger and knee injuries this year, Karl Tu'inukuafe mightn't have got the chance to have a fairytale start to his test career. Angus Ta'avao probably wouldn't have told a similar rags-to-riches rugby story to Tu'inukafe.
Because of Moody's injuries, the All Blacks have international-standard depth at loosehead prop that simply wasn't there at the start of the season.
Now, Tu'inukuafe looks likely to get more game time on Sunday and Ta'avao has come back into the squad as cover.
So, while Moody will be missed at Twickenham, his 2018 plight means he won't be as missed this year as he would have in years gone by.
A year out from the World Cup, if the All Blacks need a 'Stephen Donald' at loosehead prop, they'll have no trouble finding one.
Ross Karl is Newhub's rugby reporter, on tour with the All Blacks. Join us at 4am Sunday for live updates of the All Blacks vs England test at Twickenham.
