Shoulder op rules out Sivivatu

Wellington - All Blacks and Chiefs wing Sitiveni Sivivatu has been ruled out of rugby for up to six months after it was confirmed he would need surgery to stabilise his left shoulder.

The 28-year-old, who has 43 All Blacks caps since making his debut in 2005, had similar surgery on his right shoulder in 2004.

"While it is disappointing, I'm pretty relaxed about the whole situation," Sivivatu said in a statement on Thursday.

"It is just one of those things that happen and I need to just concentrate on recovering well after the surgery."

He is expected to have surgery within the next three weeks and then undergo rehabilitation, which could take up to six months, the Chiefs said.