All Black utility Nehe Milner-Skudder hopes to return to rugby in six months after successfully undergoing surgery on his dislocated right shoulder.
The luckless Hurricanes back has endured a torrid 18 months with injuries, including a dislocated left shoulder and broken foot.
His most recent setback - dislocating his right shoulder in this month's 25-24 Test win over South Africa - will keep him out until at least next April.
The Springboks match was Milner-Skudder's third Test of 2017, having played in the reverse fixture in Albany and against Argentina in New Plymouth.
Milner-Skudder posted on social media that the operation had gone well and recovery should be between six and seven months.
"I have learnt from past injuries to not worry about what is out of my control, take it one step at a time and focus on the here and now," Milner-Skudder said.
"Combine those with a relentless drive to come back stronger and I know I've got this."