The All Blacks are likely to be without Sitiveni Sivivatu for much - if not all - of their 2009 campaign.
The country's premier wing faces a probable six-month layoff after damaging his shoulder in Friday night's Super 14 semifinal.
The 27-year-old flyer dislocated his left shoulder for the second
time this season in the final minutes of the Chiefs' victory over the Hurricanes.
He will see a specialist this week and, if the injury requires surgery, will be out for up to six months. The injury also rules him out of Sunday morning's Super 14 final.
"We are bitterly disappointed for him," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said. "He has been a key catalyst for us and a really important leader on and off the park. It is a big blow."
Sivivatu had undergone extensive rehabilitation since first dislocating the shoulder when attempting to score a try against the Reds in round seven. He returned in round 13 against the Hurricanes and had looked to be back at the top of his game in Friday night's rematch before reinjuring the shoulder attempting a tackle in the final moments of the match.
Even the best-possible-case scenario - another stint of rehabilitation - would sideline Sivivatu for at least six weeks.
