Beauden Barrett will miss the Hurricanes' next four Super Rugby games with a knee injury which is unlikely to have any Test consequences for the classy five-eighth.
Barrett suffered a grade two medial ligament tear when tackled during the 29-23 home win over the Crusaders on Saturday.
He was sandwiched awkwardly but played on to help his team secure a ninth win from 10 games to power five points clear at the top of the standings with six regular season games remaining.
Pivotal playmaker Barrett, 23, will miss at least half of those after scans revealed the damage although he was relieved it was nothing more serious.
"Obviously I'm gutted with the injury, but fortunately it's not season-ending for me," he said in a statement.
"I've been pretty lucky to have a good run without injury for a while, but it's now up to me to work hard on my rehab and make sure I'm ready to return at the business end of the season."
A fit Barrett is a virtual certainty to be part of the All Blacks' World Cup campaign and could even start at five-eighth following the season-ending injury suffered by Chiefs No.10 Aaron Cruden.
He has scored 119 points in 28 Tests and started their most recent Test, against Wales in Cardiff in November.
Barrett has been in sharp form in recent weeks with his running game and general play a spark for some outstanding attacking rugby from the Hurricanes.
His three tries for the season have helped him to 98 points, the fourth-most by any player.
Barrett's likely replacement for the Hurricanes is utility back James Marshall while young Manawatu pivot Otere Black could have a backup role.
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