All Blacks and Crusaders prop Joe Moody will play no further part in the 2022 rugby season.
On Thursday, the Crusaders confirmed the 57-test international ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee during the side's 27-23 loss to the Blues on April 15. He will undergo surgery that will sideline him until 2023.
Moody departed after just 35 minutes of the clash with the Blues in Christchurch. He didn't join the Crusaders squad for their trip across the Tasman for their four-game Australian leg of Super Rugby Pacific.
Further consultation with specialists revealed the severity of the 33-year-old's injury, confirming coach Scott Robertson's initial fears.
"It didn't look good," Robertson said after the game. "Joe has got a decent injury. We're just going to make sure we get the right scan, so we have got a full report on it.
"He definitely won't be with us in Australia, and potentially longer."
The Crusaders called Ryan Coxon into the squad as cover, while George Bower - who started in the 42-17 win over the Rebels last weekend - will likely to continue to wear the No.1 jersey in Moody's absence. They also have the luxury of All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams off the bench.
Moody started the final test of the All Blacks' northern tour last year against France and appeared to have worked his way to the top of coach Ian Foster's pecking order at loosehead prop.
Foster will now need to reassess his options, which include Bower, Ethan de Groot, and Karl Tu'inukuafe.
