The Super 14 season looks to be over for All Blacks and Hurricanes winger Hosea Gear.
Gear is on his way back home from South Africa after suffering ligament damage in his left knee, in the Hurricanes win over the Lions in Johannesburg at the weekend.
He's expected to be out for up to eight weeks.
Also coming back with him is flanker Scott Waldrom who has an abdominal strain but he's expected to be right for the side's next home game against the Stormers in Wellington in just over a fortnight.
Meanwhile the the All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis has been ruled out of the Crusaders match against the South African side the Bulls in Christchurch, on Saturday night.
Ellis had an x-ray yesterday after hurting his ribs in the win over fellow South African side the Stormers at the weekend.
The X-ray showed no new fractures and revealed that previous injuries, suffered last year were healed.
However he will miss this weekend's round and his place is set to be taken by Kahn Fotuali'i.
Fullback Leon MacDonald, who suffered a broken nose in the match is expected to be right while flanker George Whitelock, who missed the Stormers match with a thigh injury is expected back.
