Former All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder's hopes of a return to the field this year look to have been dashed.
The Hurricanes winger has been forced to undergo another surgery on his troublesome shoulder, due to complications arising from an earlier procedure, meaning his goal of playing at a second Rugby World Cup looks as good as over.
The 28-year-old will take up a three-year deal with French Top 14 club Toulon at the end of the season, meaning he's likely played his last game on New Zealand soil.
"There was plenty to work towards and look forward to on the Rugby to-do list," Milner-Skudder posted to Instagram.
"But unfortunately due to ongoing issues with my shoulder from a prior surgery not going as well as we'd hoped, it was the best decision to go under the knife again to get it sorted."
Milner-Skudder has been plagued by shoulder injuries since making his debut for the All Blacks in 2015, when he took the rugby world by storm with a starring role at the World Cup in England that same year.
He recently became the face of an NZ Rugby campaign for mental health awareness in sports, referencing the enormous toll that his spate of injuries had taken on him.
"I've been through 'a few' injuries, but this has easily been the toughest one - both physically and mentally."
But the Manawatu product is determined to work his way back to full fitness.
"However, I'm not ready to give up anytime soon, love a good challenge, and have so much love and support around me."
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