The Chiefs' pre-season injury toll has worsened following a serious knee injury suffered by flanker Mitchell Karpik.
Uncapped openside specialist Karpik, 20, will miss the Super Rugby season after suffering ligament damage during the 17-12 trial win over the Waratahs on Friday. His recovery time is estimated at 6-9 months.
It was the first appearance in a Chiefs jersey for world champion New Zealand under-20 forward Karpik, who played 11 NPC games for Auckland last year.
A similar injury has ruled All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala out of the entire Chiefs campaign while lock Dominic Bird is expected to miss the first 5-6 competition games with a foot injury.
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