Bird's All Black dream dashed
Crusaders lock Dominic Bird's All Black dreams has been put on hold, at least for the next four months.
The Crusaders revealed on Saturday that the talented 22-year-old lock, at 206cm the second tallest lock in Super Rugby, will miss the rest of the season.
It is a cruel blow to his prospects of being named in the All Black team for the three-Test series against France.
The All Black team will be named on Sunday.
In a statement the Crusaders said that during Friday's one-point (23-22) win over the Waratahs, Bird incurred a significant shoulder injury.
"Following further medical assessment today [Saturday] the Crusaders can confirm that Bird has ruptured his left pectoral major tendon and will require surgery later this week," the statement said.
"The injury will see him out of the remainder of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament."
Crusaders No.8 and captain Kieran Read suffered a "minor" head knock during the game.
"Following further medical assessment this [Saturday] morning they can confirm that he is much better," the statement said.
Also during the game hooker Corey Flynn suffered a further hamstring injury.
This has also put into doubt any prospect he had of a return to All Black duty.
