Black injury blow for Blues

Cape Town - New Blues flyhalf Otere Black will miss the start of next year's Super Rugby season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament for Manawatu.

Black, who joined the Blues through to 2019 from the Hurricanes at the end of June, injured his knee in Manawatu's 46-25 Ranfurly Shield loss to Taranaki in New Plymouth on Wednesday night.

Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter confirmed to the Herald Black had ruptured his ACL, which would see him sidelined for between six and nine months.

Taranaki first-five Stephen Perofeta is in line to replace Black at No 10 for the Blues next year with North Harbour's Bryn Gatland, who also joined at the end of June, likely to deputise.

Meanwhile, Perofeta sustained bruising to his ankle in the same match but it is nothing serious.