The All Blacks' midfield crisis has hit another snag with the Blues utility player Isaia Toeava out of all rugby for approximately four months.
Toeava's been struggling with a hip issue for several months and a decision was made for him to undergo surgery this week.
The absence of Toeava's bad timing for his international career and yet another blow to the All Blacks' already thin midfield stocks. First-choice second-five Ma'a Nonu's out with a knee injury while Mike Delany's also out with injury.
Toeava played in the Super 14 with the temporary solution of a cortisone injection at the beginning of the season, in consultation with a specialist and All Black medical staff.
This worked well for about eight weeks but as the steroid effect wore off his, pain returned during the last three rounds of the Super 14.
Blues team doctor Stephen Kara says the 24-year-old has a congenital right hip problem that playing rugby has exacerbated and he's decided to proceed with the surgery, as well as minor surgery on his left knee for a small cartilage tear.
Toeava says it's been a frustrating season not playing at full fitness and he hasn't been able to run at full pace while the pain kept returning.
Toeava has 26 All Black Test caps and 49 Super Rugby caps for the Blues.
