All Blacks utility Damian McKenzie is officially back on the road to recovery, after undergoing knee surgery.
The Chiefs fullback/first-five suffered the season-ending ligament tear last month in their Super Rugby win over the Blues and has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup in September.
McKenzie faces 6-9 months on the sidelines, but he's posted on social media, determined to battle back from this devastating blow.
"Surgery all done," he said on Instagram. "A bit of a different challenge to overcome this year, rather than the one I was hoping for.
"Looking forward to accomplishing little goals day by day and coming back even better next year. A big thanks to everyone for their kind messages of support through this time.
"Rehab life… let's get it."
Among those wishing him well in his recovery were international teammates Beauden Barrett and Ryan Crotty, and Australian rival Quade Cooper.
"All the best with the recovery bro!" posted Cooper.
McKenzie has made 21 appearances for the All Blacks and loomed as a key contributor to the World Cup campaign in his role as a playmaker coming off the bench.
Newshub.
