All Blacks star Ardie Savea is to miss most of the 2020 Super Rugby season after announcing Sunday he is to undergo surgery following an injury suffered in the World Cup semi-final loss to England.
He is the second marquee player to be missing from the Wellington Hurricanes after All Blacks fullback Beauden Barrett transferred to the Auckland Blues.
Savea, a finalist for the world player of the year, revealed the extent of the knee injury in an Instagram post when he said he could be sidelined for up to six months.
"Thought I'd let you guys know that I'll be getting surgery on my knee that I injured in the semi-final," Savea said.
"Unfortunately will be out for 5-6 months so will miss the majority of the Super Rugby season with my Canes brothers.
"Pretty guttered (sic) when I found out even though I thought I'd be sweet if something like this happened. I'm good now just been partying and relaxing and now will wait for surgery."
With the regular Super Rugby season finishing at the end of May, it means Savea is unlikely to be seen before the play-offs - if the Hurricanes qualify.
The bruising loose forward had been seen as a likely All Blacks replacement at no.8 for Kieran Read who retired from international rugby after the World Cup.
However, a lack of game time may rule him out of the mid-year Tests against Wales and Scotland.
