Veteran All Blacks lock Ali Williams requires knee surgery which will keep him out New Zealand's last test against Ireland and the upcoming four-nation Rugby Championships.
The 31-year-old Williams is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks, also missing the last weeks of the Super 15 season, after the injury flared in last Saturday's second Irish test.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said although the injury was to the same knee on which Williams had surgery late last year, this was a new injury.
She said "Ali developed a sore right knee over the last couple of weeks and a scan has revealed that he has a flap of loose articular Cartilage which will require surgery. He will see a surgeon this week in Auckland."
AP