Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is out for the rest of the year after sustaining a knee injury last Friday night against the Crusaders.
The injury will require an operation and a rehabilitation period of 9-12 months before he returns to play.
Coach Tony Brown says this is very tough on Folau; who has been playing outstanding rugby and must have been in consideration for the All Blacks with his performances in Super Rugby Aotearoa and the Mitre 10 Cup.
21-year-old Fakatava has enjoyed a bright start to the season, earning the start against the Crusaders over Aaron Smith.
The injury list has grown over the last few weeks for the Highlanders, with the promising Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Freedom Vahaakolo both ruled out for the season.
The Highlanders will face the Chiefs at 7.05pm Saturday while the Hurricanes will take on the Crusaders at 3.35pm Sunday.
[Source: tvnz]
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