Lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the All Blacks' Northern tour against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales with a shoulder injury.
It is another blow for Tuipulotu, who required facial surgery after a head injury suffered against Argentina in Cordoba in August, and has been thwarted by physical issues throughout his career.
An All Blacks statement this morning said Tuipulotu, who has performed an important role off the bench this year, required surgery on an existing shoulder problem that had deteriorated since the Rugby Championship.
The Blues skipper will be sidelined for about six months, which means he will miss the start of next season's Super Rugby competition.
His Blues teammate Sam Darry, who has been in good form for Canterbury in the NPC this year, will now join the squad when it assembles next week.
Darry, who made his All Blacks debut against Fiji in San Diego last year, did not play Super Rugby this year due to his own shoulder injury.
Darry would have been named in the All Blacks XV squad this morning.
His replacement will be announced when the squad is released at 11.30am.
The All Blacks XV, coached by Jamie Joseph, will play in London and Bath next month.
The All Blacks' first Test on their 'Grand Slam' tour is against Ireland in Chicago on November 2.
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