New Zealand international Atu Moli to miss remainder of 2020 season

Chiefs will miss the services of All Blacks prop Atu Moli for the remainder of the 2020 season as he is set to undergo a hip surgery.

Moli, who will turn 25 this week will undergo Femoral-Acetabular Impingement surgery on both his left and right hips to treat “chronic hip dysfunction”.

Moli made his debut for Chiefs in 2016 and has played four Tests for New Zealand - all of it coming in 2019. He was also part of New Zealand's World Cup campaign last year.

Chiefs will also be without their captain Sam Cane for the opening game against Highlanders after the newly appointed New Zealand skipper is experiencing a stiff back.

Locks Michael Allardice and Laghlan McWhannell and winger Sam McNicol are also ruled out of the competition for Chiefs due to injuries while prop Angus Ta’avao will miss the initial stages of the competition as he is recovering from a surgery on a quadriceps injury.