All Blacks’ breakout star Wallace Sititi will miss the majority of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign, according to his club side the Chiefs.

The back-rower, who played at both number eight and blindside last year, has had surgery on a knee injury and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Sititi suffered the issue during New Zealand’s November campaign but it was almost two months before he went under the knife after a struggle to find someone who could do the surgery.

As a result, the 22-year-old will be absent for most, if not all, of the Chiefs’ Super Rugby season.

Sititi blow

“Everyone saw the impact Wallace had last season and he’s certainly a big loss for us, but our focus is now on supporting his recovery and eventual return to the field,” head coach Clayton McMillan said.

“I also know he will continue to contribute positively to our environment in any way he can.”

McMillan had confirmed earlier in the month that Sititi would need surgery but he was initially uncertain as to his timeframe for recovery.

“I couldn’t tell you, to be honest. He hasn’t been in our environment, so we just know it happened on the end-of-year tour, but he’s able to walk around,” he told reporters last week.

“It’s one of those little niggles, I guess, that you never really truly know the extent of until you get under the surgeon knife, and they can give some clarity to that.”

All Blacks star in Super Rugby Pacific blow after TWO-MONTH wait for surgery

The worst has now been confirmed by the Chiefs, however, and it could ultimately impact the All Blacks later in the year.

New Zealand take on France in a three-Test series in July and, even if rehab goes to plan, he will almost certainly lack match practice going into that contest.

“Everyone’s seen how he’s played over the last 12 months, and it’s never nice to lose players of that calibre,” McMillan added. “He generates a lot of excitement through his ability. We’ll miss him.”

Incredible first season

Sititi enjoyed a remarkable 2024, which started with his Super Rugby debut against the Reds in March and ended with him being named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year eight months later.

The back-rower played a key role in the Chiefs’ run to the final of the competition and his form was rewarded with a call-up to the All Blacks squad.

It was initially a controversial call by new head coach Scott Robertson, who overlooked the Super Rugby MVP Hoskins Sotutu for the rookie, but it proved to be an inspired decision.

The 22-year-old made his international bow against Fiji in July but had to wait until midway through the Rugby Championship before he got his first start.

However, once Sititi was named in the All Blacks’ XV for the first match of their double-header against the Springboks in South Africa, he never looked back.

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/chiefs-confirm-devastating-wallace-sititi-blow-which-could-impact-scott-robertson-and-the-all-blacks