Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst will miss the start of the Super Rugby season because of the ongoing effects of concussion.
Broadhurst, 28, is continuing to have headaches since getting a head knock playing for Taranaki against Wellington in the national provincial championship.
The one-Test All Black hasn't been able to training fully since that opening round fixture last August.
He wants to get back on the field for the Hurricanes, but says he has to be 100 per cent before that happens.
"I need to make sure I follow the correct return-to-play protocols," he said.
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"It's frustrating not being able to train and play, but caution is the best policy when it comes to concussion."
Broadhurst is still getting headaches when he exercises, but has been encouraged by his most recent visit to his specialist.
"The headaches have come and gone, but I'm definitely on an upward track," he said.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd says there is no specific timeframe for Broadhurst's availability for selection.
"You don't muck around with concussion," he said.
"We'd love to see Broady out there on the field, but fully understand that won't happen until he's satisfied all the criteria set out by the medical staff and that's exactly how it should be."
Broadhurst made his debut for the Hurricanes in 2010 and last year started in the All Blacks' 27-20 win over South Africa in Johannesburg.
