New Zealand's prolific wing Joe Rokocoko will miss the summer Tests against Ireland and England after injuring his wrist in a club match last month.
The injury, sustained in the Auckland Blues' Super 14 defeat to Western Force, is causing the 24-year-old no pain, but medical staff advised it is in his long-term interests to have it operated as soon as possible.
Rokocoko, who has scored 43 tries in 48 Tests for the All Blacks, will be out of action for at least three months after the procedure.
"It's hard for me to leave the team and not play, especially when my wrist doesn't really hurt," he told the Blues' official website. "But I'm in the hands of the medical staff and the long-term risks outweigh any option to keep on playing for the short term."
Ireland play the All Blacks on June 7th in Wellington's Westpac Stadium on the first leg of their southern hemisphere tour. A week later they take on Australia in Sydney's Telstra Dome.
New Zealand host England in Christchurch on June 21st.
