All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu has been forced out of the All Blacks tour of Britain and Ireland after a scan confirmed he will probably need surgery on his injured left knee.
Sivivatu, who has played 43 tests, made a return to rugby just last week after a five-month break from the game to recover from shoulder surgery.
Sivivatu managed some game time in the All Blacks inter-squad training match last Saturday, and was due to play for Waikato in this weekend's ITM Cup semifinal match against Auckland.
The All Blacks' doctor, Deb Robinson, confirmed Sivivatu had a scan in Hamilton on Friday which revealed that a bony fragment had come loose in his left knee. He was to see an orthopaedic surgeon over the weekend and may require an arthroscopy.
Dr Robinson said it was not known how long Sivivatu would be out of rugby, but said he would not recover in time to tour with the All Blacks.
Coach Graham Henry says at this stage, a replacement player won't be called into the All Blacks, with wingers Josevata Rokocoko, Cory Jane and Hosea Gear in the squad as well as Isaia Toeava also available to provide cover.
