KEY POINTS:
Veteran Waikato lock Jono Gibbes has had knee surgery which will rule him out of most of his team's provincial rugby title defence.
Gibbes faces six to eight weeks on the sideline after an operation on Friday to clean up knee cartilage damage.
The former All Blacks forward started Waikato's first match this season against Manawatu but was named on the bench for the clash with Southland a week later.
Waikato now face some depth issues at lock, with Keith Robinson injured and soon to depart with the All Blacks to the World Cup. Winger Sosene Anesi is still troubled by a quadracep strain.
He and front rower Aled de Malmanche will be monitored on a daily basis this week ahead of Friday's match against Counties Manukau, with de Malmanche struggling with a back strain.
- NZPA
