Kieran Read to miss start of Super Rugby 2018 season following spinal surgery

New Zealand skipper Kieran Read is set to miss a decent amount of 2018 Super Rugby season for Crusaders as he will undergo a spinal surgery on Saturday.

A statement released by Crusaders revealed that the 32-year-old sustained the blow during the end of New Zealand's European tour and is expected to be out for "approximately four months".

“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.”

The 2013 World Rugby Player of the Year took over the reins of New Zealand from Richie McCaw in 2016 and has 109 Test appearances to go with 133 games for the Crusaders.

Read confirmed the news on the social media on Wednesday.