Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea will be sidelined for up to six weeks after dislocating his finger in Friday's 20-13 win over the Highlanders.
Hurricanes assistant coach Clark Laidlaw said 21-year-old Savea had an operation on Saturday morning, and would be out for between three to six weeks.
"He dislocated his finger and it popped out the side, so he had to get it pushed back in and tidied up," Laidlaw said on Monday.
"It's obviously disappointing because he's been going well. He's really maturing into a player that can start every week, and his development over the last three seasons has gone really well."
Laidlaw said the Hurricanes had the depth to cover Savea's absence.
"We're really happy with how Callum Gibbins has been going, we've got Adam Hill, and we've got Victor Vito who can cover No.7 as well."
Manawatu flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will also train with the Hurricanes squad as cover.
The Hurricanes, who top the New Zealand conference and the overall Super Rugby table, are unbeaten in five games this season.
They host Melbourne Rebels in Wellington next Friday and Laidlaw says they'll be looking for an improved performance after a scrappy first half against the Highlanders.
"We were really happy with the composure we showed in the second half," he said.
"But we were missing opportunities on attack - we were creating mismatches and overlaps that we were missing.
"The work-ons are tidying up and taking opportunities, and making sure we keep quick ball so we can stay on the front foot."
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