Injured All Black Nehe Milner‑Skudder hopes to be back on the field in late April or May next year.
The Hurricanes wing, who dislocated his right shoulder in the first half of the All Blacks' 25‑24 win over the Springboks in Cape Town earlier this month, has started his road to recovery after an operation this week.
He said his surgeon was rapt with how his operation went.
Meanwhile Waisake Naholo is highly likely to replace Milner-Skudder this weekend.
The Wallabies will host the All Blacks at 10pm Saturday.
