Greg to make World Cup

The 29-year-old forward, capped 55 times by New Zealand, is expected to be out for up to six months and will miss the entire Super 14 campaign for the Canterbury Crusaders.

Somerville snapped the tendon against South Africa in Pretoria in August and a cyst was noticed during the subsequent operation which has forced the second surgery.

"It's hard to say exactly how long he will be out for, six months is a ball-park figure with these injuries," said New Zealand doctor Deb Robinson.

The All Blacks open their international calendar against France in Auckland on June 2nd with the Tri-Nations series opening against the Springboks on June 24th.

They start their World Cup campaign against Italy on September 8th and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans insisted Somerville would be ready to play.

"It shouldn't affect his likely involvement for the World Cup," Deans said.

"While it's not exciting news for Greg, it at least takes the pressure off him to rush back and re-enter the fray."