The All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg has had surgery on a ruptured tendon in his right thigh and could be out of rugby for up to five months, putting him in doubt for the world cup.
Dagg injured his leg making a clearing kick in the Crusaders win over the Stormers in Cape Town over a week ago and was one of four Crusaders' players sent home injured from South Africa after the match.
He had surgery on Monday and the Crusaders say a definitive time frame on his recovery should be known within the next few days - though it could range between two and five months.
That timeframe means he'll miss the remainder of the Super Rugby competition and most likely the Tri-Nations.
Utility back Adam Whitelock and winger Sean Maitland will also miss the rest of the Super Rugby competition.
Whitelock also had surgery on Monday on an injured pectoral muscle while Maitland had an operation on Wednesday on a foot injury.
Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has a medial ligament sprain in his right knee and will be out for four to six weeks.
