All Blacks suffer major scrumhalf blow

INJURY UPDATE: All Black scrumhalf Cam Roigard is set to be sidelined for at least six months after rupturing a knee ligament, his Super Rugby team the Hurricanes said Wednesday.

Roigard was stretchered off after tearing his left patella tendon in the Hurricanes' win over the Highlanders last Saturday.

He underwent surgery in Auckland on Tuesday, the Hurricanes said in a statement.

"Provided all goes well with his rehabilitation he could be back as soon as six months from now," a team spokesman added.

The scrumhalf had been in great form in helping the Hurricanes win all six of their Super Rugby games so far this season, putting them top of the table.

Roigard will miss New Zealand's home two-Test series against England in July and the Rugby Championships, starting in August, when the All Blacks defend their title.

Following the retirement of Aaron Smith from international duty, Roigard had been in contention to start for the All Blacks in 2024, before injury struck.

The 23-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for the Northern Hemisphere tour, starting late October, when the All Blacks face Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy away.

Roigard made the first of his five Test appearances last year, as a replacement against Australia.

He played three games at the World Cup in France as New Zealand finished runners-up to South Africa.