Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny will miss most of Crusaders’ Super Rugby season with a chest injury.
Halfpenny damaged a pectoral muscle during his debut for the Super Rugby champions in a 21-19 defeat to Munster on the club’s pre-season tour.
Crusaders said the 35-year-old needed surgery and was expected to be out for three to four months.
Halfpenny signed a one-year deal with Crusaders after announcing his retirement from international rugby.
He made his international debut in 2008 and scored 801 points for Wales in 101 games, while he also played four Tests for the British and Irish Lions.
Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison confirmed the full-back would have surgery in the United Kingdom and fly to Christchurch to continue his rehabilitation.
The Super Rugby season kicks off on 23 February, with the regular season running until June.
The Crusaders hope Halfpenny will play a significant part in the latter stages with the final in late June.
“We’re expecting him to play, if the rehab goes well,” Ellison said.
Although Halfpenny does not have an official coaching role at the club, he has been mentoring some of the younger players in the squad.
“He will still help, even during his rehab period around some of the kicking and the game-driving for a few of our younger boys,” said Ellison. “He has been great there already.”