Highlanders first-five Hayden Parker has sustained a knee injury during preseason training that will keep him sidelined from the playing field.
The training incident caused a rupture to the ACL of his right knee that will require months to repair and rehab.
Experienced Tasman first-five Marty Banks has confirmed he will stay on with the Highlanders for the 2017 season after this week being named as a temporary injury replacement, eschewing his earlier commitment to Italian club Treviso.
Parker missed most of the 2016 season with the same type of injury and had only just returned to fulltime training in the last few weeks.
“Obviously we are all pretty gutted for Hayden; he has worked so hard to get back to fitness and was really looking forward to the season. We wish him well with his rehab," said head coach Tony Brown.
Hayden Parker debuted for the Highlanders in 2013 and has scored 86 points for the club in 30 games.
In a statement on the Treviso website, Banks expressed his regret at being unable to join the team, citing personal reasons for his decision.
"It’s with deep regret that I write to let you know I won’t be arriving to Italy and playing for the club this 2016/2017 season," said Banks.
"I’ve been through an significant change in my personal situation recently which has me needing to be based in New Zealand and close to my family at this time."
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