Chiefs and All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden will be sidelined for six months with a knee injury.

Scans confirmed that Cruden ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Chiefs' 26-9 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch last Friday.

In a statement, the Chiefs said their playmaker would see a surgeon on Wednesday to arrange surgery.

Traditional reconstruction surgery had been deemed the most appropriate course of action given Cruden's young age (26) and long-term career prospects.

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