Wellington - Stephen Donald, recent understudy to All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter, will be sidelined for four months after surgery to repair a torn chest muscle.
Donald has played 19 Tests, six as New Zealand's starting flyhalf when Carter was sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury.
He joins a lengthening All Blacks injury list which includes first-string players such as hooker Andrew Hore, lock Ali Williams, centre Ma'a Nonu and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Donald sustained the injury in a club rugby match on Saturday and had surgery on Tuesday.