Kieran Read to undergo significant spinal surgery

All Blacks captain Kieran Read will undergo significant spinal surgery this coming Saturday and is set to miss a large chunk of the Super Rugby season.

In a statement released today, the Crusaders said: "Kieran Read will have surgery this Saturday on a prolapsed lumbar disc in his back, an injury he sustained at the end of the All Blacks season.

"He has been reviewed by both the All Blacks and Crusaders medical teams, as well as a back specialist, who will continue to monitor his recovery."

"Expected recovery time for such injuries is approximately four months."

Read has 109 caps for the All Blacks and 133 for the Crusaders. The last year of his captaincy has seen the Number 8 deal with a number of injuries, including a broken thumb and issues with this slipped disc in his back.

Appointed to the captaincy role by Steve Hansen for the 2016 Steinlager Series squad, Read first captained the All Blacks in 2012 against Italy in Rome and heading into the Steinlager Series was unbeaten in his nine matches as skipper, which included leading the way against Tonga at RWC 2015.

In 2013 he was named World Player of the Year by World Rugby.