Turinui out for the season

Brisbane - The Reds have suffered a major blow with former Wallabies vice-captain Morgan Turinui ruled out of the remainder of the Super 14 due to a shoulder injury.

According to the Australian Associated Press, seasoned centre Turinui will undergo a shoulder reconstruction in the coming days after failing to overcome a lingering problem with the joint.

The 20-Test ex-Waratah had scans earlier this week after being unable play either of the two opening round matches in South Africa.

The problem originated from a collision injury on the point of his shoulder in the Reds' European tour last August which he aggravated in the pre-season trials last month.

The loss of the Reds' most experienced back builds the importance of Wallabies wing Digby Ioane's transition to outside centre after a strong first-up offering in the position in last week's 27-24 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

Turinui, 27, is on a two-year contract with the Reds and must aim to return from surgery at the start of next year.