The All Blacks first five Daniel Carter needs ankle surgery which will keep him out of rugby for up to eight weeks.
Carter's been troubled throughout the Tri-Nations by a right ankle injury which is restricting movement in his foot, and affecting his calf muscle, and he says it's obviously in his best interests to have the surgery now.
Rugby's leading test-match points scorer will miss the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on Sept. 11 but should be fit for their match against the Wallabies at the end of October in Hong Kong, and the northern hemisphere tour in November.
Carter will have his operation tomorrow in Christchurch.
The All Blacks coach Graham Henry has described Carter as the ultimate professional when it comes to injury rehabilitation.
