All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu is likely to miss the three June rugby tests after suffering a knee injury in the Hurricanes' final Super 14 match.
Nonu ruptured a posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Hurricanes' season-ending defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney.
A statement from the
Hurricanes said Nonu wouldn't require surgery but wasn't expected to return to full training for six weeks.
That would rule him out of the All Blacks' tests against Ireland on June 12 in New Plymouth, and Wales on June 19 in Dunedin and June 26 in Hamilton, and make it touch and go for their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa on July 10.
It adds to the All Blacks selectors' headaches with lock Ali Williams and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu out for the year, fullback Mils Muliaina making a tentative return to club rugby after a broken thumb, and last year's All Blacks tourists Corey Flynn, Tom Donnelly, Jason Eaton and Mike Delany also sidelined.
First-choice hooker Andrew Hore is also sidelined for an extended period after dislocating his shoulder in Sydney.
Scans have revealed ligament and other soft tissue damage and an opinion on the need for surgery is now being sought, the Hurricanes said.
- NZPA
