The Crusaders will be without All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams for the rest of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season as he receives treatment for a serious infection.
Williams is currently in the hospital after being diagnosed with discitis, an infection in one of the discs in his spine.
The Crusaders say he will remain under close medical supervision until his condition is stable enough for him to return home.
He will miss the rest of the Crusaders' season, and his return to rugby after that remains unclear, putting him in doubt for the All Blacks home tests against France, Italy and Ireland in July.
Williams says it is not the news he had hoped for, as he has had a sore back for a couple of weeks and had to come in for some scans and blood tests.
Williams said he was trying to remain philosophical about the infection.
The Crusaders host the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua on Friday night in their final game at Apollo Projects Stadium before they move to Christchurch's new roofed Te Kaha Stadium in the central city.
The Crusaders play the Drua at 6.05pm Friday.
In other games, the Chiefs will meet the Waratahs at 6.05pm Saturday, while the Reds host the Force at 8.35pm.
Source: RNZ Sports
