Thursday 27 April 2017 11:58, UK
New Zealand flanker Jerome Kaino faces a race against time to be fit to face the British and Irish Lions after undergoing surgery on a meniscus tear in his knee.
The 34-year-old, who has played 77 times for the All Blacks and is a double World Cup winner, suffered the injury in Super Rugby action for the Auckland Blues two weeks ago and will have an operation on Friday.
Blues assistant coach Steve Jackson said Kaino will be out of action for four to six weeks but was confident he would have time to prove his fitness before the first Test against the Lions on June 24.
"He was feeling it and it was locking up on him," said Jackson.
"Potentially he could have played but it was causing discomfort and if it locked up during game time we would have had to replace him anyway.
"He'll get his feet up and normally you come back quickly from those sorts of operations. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine for the Lions tour."
The All Blacks are not lacking for cover at blindside flanker, with Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Steven Luatua and the experienced Liam Messam all proven performers at international level.
Luatua, who will be joining relegated Bristol at the end of the season, will switch from No 8 to replace Kaino for the Blues against Australian conference leaders ACT Brumbies on Sunday.
Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who started three Tests for the All Blacks last year, will also miss Sunday's match in Canberra because of injury after hurting his back in training.
Watch Brumbies v Blues on Sunday morning. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 2 HD at 7am.
