New Zealand centre Quinn Tupaea has suffered a major blow after it was confirmed that he will be out of action for nine months due to the injury suffered against Australia.

New Zealand Rugby on Thursday confirmed the news, which means that Tupaea will not be able to take any part in next year’s Super Rugby season.

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According to the update issued on the All Blacks’ social media channels, further scans on Tupaea’s knee have revealed extensive damage to his ACL which will require surgery.

This will almost certainly ruin his chances of impressing the All Blacks coaches to be part of the 2023 World Cup squad.

Tupaea suffered the knee ligament injury when he was dangerously cleaned out by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Melbourne.

Swain was only yellow-carded for the incident and, following a citing after the Test match, was handed a six-week ban. He will be available to play for the Wallabies again in November.

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