Anton Lienert-Brown to miss Rugby Championship games against South Africa due to injury

New Zealand centre Lienert-Brown is expected to be out of action for at least six months following a surgery on his shoulder.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury during Chiefs' recently concluded Super Rugby Pacific game after being struck by Blues scrumhalf Sam Nock at a ruck.

The news was confirmed by Lienert-Brown on his official Instagram handle.

“Shoulder is going to need a bit more work than I was hoping,” read an Instagram post from the 26-year-old.

“Going under the knife this week which will put me out for 6 months. A bump in the road but the journey continues. I’ll be back … appreciate all the support”.

New Zealand will kick-start their Rugby Championship campaign with back to back clashes against World Champions South Africa on 6th and 13th August in Nelspruit and Johannesburg respectively.