All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will miss next month's Tests against France and Italy after injuring his knee in the Super 14 semifinal match against the Bulls last weekend.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson says McCaw's symptoms worsened on the flight home from South Africa this week and he had a scan in Christchurch on Thursday afternoon.
She says the scan revealed he had a torn ligament on the postero-lateral corner (outside) of his right knee.
Dr Robinson says, as a result, McCaw will be unavailable for the three internationals next month but will likely be available for the Tri Nations, which kicks off in July.
It's the second time that McCaw has injured his right knee this year, but Dr Robinson says the latest injury is not related to the one he suffered playing against the Highlanders.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says it's incredibly disappointing news for Richie and they'll be giving him every support he needs over the next few weeks.
The openside flanker stocks are somewhat stretched at the moment with an obvious replacement, Scott Waldrom, suffering a back injury in the Hurricanes semi-final which will keep him out of action for a number of months.
