New Zealand have been dealt a major blow with news that flying winger Nehe Milner-Skudder will miss the remainder of the season as he undergoes surgery on his shoulder.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2015, helping the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby final before making the step up to international level and playing his part as the All Blacks won the World Cup.
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Milner-Skudder scored the first try of the final as New Zealand beat Australia 34-17 and was expected to again be a key part of the All Black team which will face Wales in the summer.
However he dislocated his shoulder while playing against the Blues last weekend and it was confirmed that he would require surgery on the issue, ruling him out of the rest of the Super Rugby season.
In his place for the Wellington franchise comes All Black winger Cory Jane while it remains to be seen what will happen with the All Blacks in June.
Hurricanes boss Chris Boyd admits it is a major blow to lose the winger, who has scored eight tries in eight Tests so far at international level.
"Losing Nehe is a blow and obviously disappointing for him, but we're really lucky in that we have a lot of depth in the outside backs," Boyd said.
"When you can bring a 53-test All Black like Cory Jane into the team you aren't going too bad."
Coles return
There was some good news for the All Blacks and the Hurricanes with hooker Dane Coles, the Canes skipper this season, back for his first appearance against the Force this weekend.
Coles had been struggling with calf and hamstring strains in recent weeks, but is fit to make his first start of the Super Rugby season.
