Injury-prone Wallabies backrower Hugh McMeniman will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship and spring tour with a shoulder injury.
McMeniman must undergo a shoulder reconstruction following advice from Wallabies medical staff who re-examined a shoulder problem he carried throughout the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The 29-year-old Western Force player will undergo surgery next week in Brisbane and will be sidelined for six months.
Playing his last Test in 2008, McMeniman made his return to the Wallabies fold at blindside flanker in their opening Rugby Championship loss to New Zealand in Sydney.
McMeniman suffered the shoulder injury as well as neck problems during the Super season.
The Wallabies will leave their Melbourne training base on Wednesday and fly to Wellington ahead of their Saturday Test.