Fullback Christian Cullen will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday, forcing him out of the All Blacks' first three rugby Tests this season.
One of the most capped All Blacks in the current training squad, Cullen has finally succumbed to a right knee injury that had troubled him throughout the Super 12 series.
A scan revealed he had chipped bones at the back of the knee, dashing his chances of extending an impressive record of 51 consecutive Tests when the All Blacks start their 2001 season in two weeks.
Cullen, 25 and one of the most exciting attacking players in Test rugby, will see orthopaedic surgeon Stu Walsh Monday and undergo surgery on Tuesday, All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said.
Mayhew estimated a month-long stand-down period.
However, it is possible Cullen won't be fully rehabilitated and match fit until after the Tri-Nations series against South Africa and Australia, which end on September 1.
All Blacks coach Wayne Smith has now mapped out his plan for the home internationals against Samoa on June 16, Argentina on June 23 and France on June 30 without Cullen.
He indicated Cullen would return to his team as soon as possible, even if it meant him not playing a warm-up game or another match at a lower level.
"He's the best in the world," Smith said, indicating Cullen didn't need a match to prove his class.
Cullen said he felt the knee was coming right in the middle of the Super 12 season after an operation last December to fix damage caused by wear and tear.
"I had a slow start (to the competition) and then it got to a stage where I thought it was coming on," he said. AFP