Elliot Dixon's chances of an All Blacks recall for this year's northern Test tour have been doused, with the three-cap flanker undergoing surgery in Dunedin on Tuesday for a torn bicep.
The Highlanders loosie, who has not played for the All Blacks this year, suffered the injury for provincial outfit Southland two weeks ago.
He'll be out of action for up to four months, ruling him out of the Test tour and the Maori All Blacks' tour to Canada. But he should be fit for Super Rugby in 2018.
The 28-year-old made all three of his Test appearances last year against Wales, Argentina and Italy, but has fallen down the loose-forward pecking order.
He is a mainstay of the Maori All Blacks' loose forward trio.
