All Blacks without backrow powerhouse Blackadder for Ireland series

Flanker dislocated his shoulder playing for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Reds last Friday and now requires surgery

Major loss" The All Blacks will be searching for back row depth for their series against Ireland. Pic: CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand flanker Ethan Blackadder is set to miss the All Blacks’ Test series against Ireland next month after being ruled out for the rest of 2022 with a shoulder injury.

The backrower, capped nine times by his All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, dislocated his shoulder playing for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Reds last Friday and now requires surgery.