All Blacks lose Kahui

The 25-year-old centre suffered a small fracture in his shoulder socket in the All Blacks' opening Tri-Nations test against South Africa in July and re-injured it when playing for provincial side Waikato earlier this month.

He had had an arthroscopy in Auckland on Wednesday which had confirmed surgery would be required to repair a torn tendon and minor cartilage damage.

"It's a real blow for Richard who had been recovering well from the earlier injury, but it's in his best interests to get the shoulder fixed now," said All Blacks team doctor Deb Robinson.

He would not be expected to be fit until next year's Super rugby season, she added.

The All Blacks will play Australia in Hong Kong on October 30 in their final Bledisloe Cup match before heading to Europe for November tests against England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.