Rugby: Injury ends Thomas' season

Livewire Auckland winger Dave Thomas' hopes of playing in the Super 14 next year appear to have been dashed. Photo / Getty Images

Lively Auckland wing Dave Thomas' season is over - and almost certainly any hope of playing Super 14 for the Blues next year.

Thomas ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament early in Sunday's win over Manawatu.

Auckland doctor James McGarvey believes the 21-year-old will be sidelined for between six and nine months.

Thomas had been an eye-catching figure in the Auckland backline, playing all seven Air New Zealand Cup games and scoring twice.

"He's obviously a devastated young man at the moment," Auckland coach Mark Anscombe said yesterday.

"The way he was going I'm sure he would have been selected for the Blues."