The Brumbies have confirmed flying Wallabies winger Joe Tomane will miss the next two months of the Super Rugby season due to a knee injury.
Tomane received results of scans on Tuesday following a 76th minute incident in Sunday's 40-16 loss to the Crusaders where he clipped legs with opposition flanker Matt Todd as both players competed for a loose ball.
The result is clearly better than initial suggestions he may miss the season but remains a huge blow to the Brumbies' hopes of topping the Australian conference and making the playoffs.
Coach Stephen Larkham said Tomane had been "on fire" and having his best season.
With the Test series break in June Tomane would be best placed to return in round 15 against the Reds on July 1.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The Super Rugby finals start three weeks later.
Wallabies and Brumbies captain Stephen Moore could also miss Saturday's clash with defending champions the Highlanders in Invercargill as he battles to overcome bleeding in a calf muscle.
Larkham noted that travel wasn't ideal for cork injuries and Moore was rested from training on Tuesday.
The Brumbies have less time than usual to sort out their injury and replacement issues as they fly out to New Zealand on Wednesday.
They opted to spend their usual day off travelling because of the time needed to make all the flights and connections from Canberra to Sydney then Christchurch and on to resort city Queenstown, where they will base themselves before a bus trip to Invercargill on match day.
