Blues fullback Isaia Toeava is facing surgery and a lengthy spell out of rugby because of a recurring hip problem.
The 36-Test All Black returned home early during the Blues’ two-match trip to South Africa after being troubled by a stress fracture that hasn’t healed and which could have ended his Super 15 season.
Team doctor Stephen Kara says Toeava will see a specialist this week to look at treatment options, one of which is surgery.
“He could be looking at some time out of the game,” Kara said on Wednesday.
“If the surgical pathway is taken, it could be six months.”
Toeava missed the back end of last year’s competition because of the hip problem, returning to play in the latter stages of the Tri-Nations and then in the World Cup.
Kara said the injury was complex and rare.
He said Toeava played with some pain during the World Cup, but that went away during the two months he had off over the summer.
The pain started to come back when he resumed training with the Blues.
Toeava’s complaint is another blow for the under-strength Blues, who face the Hurricanes in Auckland on Friday night after just one win from their first four matches.
They have already lost All Blacks No.8 Jerome Kaino for the season because of shoulder surgery, while fellow Test forwards Keven Mealamu and Anthony Boric are among others in the casualty ward.
Also unavailable against the Hurricanes are winger Rene Ranger and flanker Luke Braid because of suspension.
However, the Blues welcome back prop Tony Woodcock after an extended off-season and fit-again winger Rudi Wulf.
Kara said hooker and skipper Mealamu, who has a calf strain, is expected to miss only one match.
With the Blues having a bye next week, lock Boric, who has a neck problem, could also be back the next time the team are in action – against the Rebels in Melbourne on April 5.