All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea goes down injured against the Wallabies in Melbourne. Photo: Photosport/Scott Barbour
All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea will be out of rugby for nine months following the illegal cleanout by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain in the first Bledisloe test.
It was initially hoped Tupaea wouldn't require surgery and would miss only three months, but the All Black camp says the latest scan of his left knee shows extensive ligament damage.
Tupaea will miss next year's Super Rugby competition and faces a race to be fit in time for the World Cup in France in less than a year.
Swain was banned for six-weeks following the incident but will only miss three tests after Rugby Australia selected him in their A side for three games against Japan.
Tupaea's injury only adds to the All Blacks midfield injury woes.
Anton Lienert-Brown is still out with a serious shoulder injury, while Jack Goodhue has been hampered by an on-going knee injury.
Jordie Barrett played in the midfield in the final Rugby Championship test, the 40-14 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park and could now become a permanent fixture at second-five.
The All Blacks will name the squad for their end-of-season-tour against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England next month.
RNZ