Hurricanes hooker Aumua out until Super Rugby playoffs

Super Rugby leaders the Hurricanes have suffered a second major injury blow after test hooker Asafo Aumua was ruled out for up to two months, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Dynamic All Blacks front-rower Aumua suffered a knee ligament tear during the 38-15 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva on Friday to maintain a perfect eight-from-eight record.

The Hurricanes said the injury will rule the 26-year out for six to eight weeks, leaving him unlikely to play until the competition's knockout phase, beginning in early June.

The Wellington-based side lost another of their premier players this month when scrumhalf Cam Roigard tore a knee tendon which will sideline him until late in the year.

Aumua's barnstorming form has him in line to add to his six All Blacks caps - and potentially be the starting hooker - during the two-test series against England in early July.

First-choice New Zealand test hooker Codie Taylor is yet to play this year for the Crusaders after writing a "non-playing sabbatical" into his contract.

Taylor's return date is still to be confirmed, with time possibly running out for the veteran to get game time ahead of the England series.

The defending champion Crusaders languish in last place, six weeks out from the playoffs, which they are in danger of missing.