The Crusaders be without a few of their big guns for the start of their Super Rugby title defense next year.
While Sam Whitelock was widely expected to sit out the very beginning of the season, assistant coach Jason Ryan confirmed that Kieran Read will also join him on the sidelines for approximately the first four rounds of 2019.
The Cantabrians face a testing beginning to their campaign, with matches against the Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs.
"We've got a fast start with some NZ derbies early on, but it's all about what's best for [Read] getting his body right.
"He's obviously got a big year next year for the Crusaders and then the Rugby World Cup at the end of it.
"We'll just manage it. We're talking to the All Blacks all the time, we've got good communication channels there .
Fellow All Black Codie Taylor is now also set to join that list after a rigorous test campaign.
"We're just working through with Codie at the moment to see what's happening there. He's had big minutes as well."
Ryan is confident the squad has the depth to cover those losses. Whetu Douglas and Jordan Taufua will back up Read at number eight, while Quinten Strange, Mitch Dunshea, and Luke Romano will fill in at lock.
Andrew Makalio and Ben Funnell would be the candidates to step in for Taylor if he were to miss extended time.
Newshub.