New Zealand and Chiefs' fly-half Aaron Cruden is set for a six month spell on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last week.
Cruden, 26, was not involved in any challenge when the injury occurred in last Friday night's Super Rugby match against the Crusaders. He has 37 caps for New Zealand, scoring an impressive 280 points.
He will go under the surgeon's knife in Auckland on Wednesday, with an expected recovery time of six months there is still hope that Cruden could make it in time for the final. Twickenham will host the showpiece game on October 31st, which would, in theory, leave him time to recover.
It could be a role reversal from the last World Cup, where Cruden picked up an injury in the final and it was left to Stephen Donald to kick the winning goal against France.
The All Blacks still have Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade to call upon at ten, though coach Steve Hansen will hope it isn't the beginning of a repeat injury curse from four years ago.
“I haven’t completely ruled out the World Cup,” Crudden said. “Looking at the last World Cup, there were a lot of injuries and a guys got called in late, so I guess if the recovery ticks along nicely, who knows what can happen.
“I can’t put my energy into that. I have to get my butt into gear and go to Auckland on Wednesday in the right frame of mind.”
Quotes via The Telegraph