Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana has been ruled out for six months, with the winger sidelined until late May due to a shoulder injury suffered on international duty with the Kiwis.
Rapana is expected to return between round 11 and round 14 of the 2019 Telstra Premiership season.
The New Zealand speedster had surgery on a dislocated shoulder after suffering the injury in the second Test against England last week.
Under a new system brought into place earlier this year, clubs can receive a salary cap exemption for the pro-rata value of an injured player's contract, up to a maximum of $350,000, but only in cases in which the injured player misses at least 12 NRL games.
Rapana joins Ata Hingano on Canberra's long-term injury list, with Hingano also out with a shoulder injury until around round six next season.
Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker has returned to light training with the club after recovering from a knee injury.
