Milner-Skudder World Cup hopes slim after shoulder surgery

Nehe Milner-Skudder's hopes of playing in the Rugby World Cup appear to be over after the New Zealand utility-back underwent another shoulder operation.

Hurricanes flyer Milner-Skudder had surgery on his shoulder in October 2017 and suffered a setback while representing the All Blacks against Japan last November.

The 28-year-old will join Toulon following the World Cup, so may have played his last game for his country having gone under the knife again.

Milner-Skudder posted on Instagram: "Halfway through what's been a challenging year.

"There was plenty to work towards and look forward to on the rugby to-do list but unfortunately due to ongoing issues with my shoulder from a prior surgery not going as well we'd hoped, it was the best decision to go under the knife again to get it sorted.

"I've been through 'a few' injuries but this has easily been the toughest one - both physically and mentally. However, I'm not ready to give up anytime soon, love a good challenge and have so much love and support around me.

"Obviously I'm guttered [sic] at how the start of the year has panned out but as the great MLK [Martin Luther King] once said, 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'"

Milner-Skudder scored six tries in New Zealand's World Cup triumph in England four years ago.