Otago will be without Liam Coltman for its entire 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign. Photo: Rob Jefferies
Otago has suffered a massive blow ahead of their Mitre 10 Cup campaign with hooker Liam Coltman being ruled out for the season with an ankle injury.
Coltman, the side's leader and most experienced player, injured the ankle late in the first half of the Highlanders quarter-final loss to the Crusaders, last month.
After the match, there was initial relief when it was discovered the ankle was not broken, but further medical tests have revealed ligament damage that will require surgery.
``Its not great for Liam, he is going to have to have surgery, he has got an issue with an ankle that needs to be fixed,'' Otago coach Cory Brown said.
The one-test All Black is expected to be out of action for four to six months, Brown said.
The loss of Coltman has meant University hooker Ricky Jackson has been called into the team ahead of Otago's pre-season hit out against Southland in Gore on Friday.