Wallabies centre Rob Horne has been ruled out of the remainder of the Tri Nations Series after scans on Sunday revealed a small fracture and ligament damage in his right elbow.
The 20-year-old, who suffered the injury in the Wallabies' 49-28 loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne at the weekend, will require surgery and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
He returns to Sydney tomorrow while his team-mates depart for Christchurch ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.
"It’s very disappointing, especially to be leaving the team midway through the series, but my focus now has to be getting the surgery and beginning the rehabilitation," Horne said.
"I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to wear the Wallaby jersey. Now having had that experience, I will be looking to work through the rehab and get back playing Super Rugby, to put myself in a position to get back into the Wallabies set up."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says he's disappointed for Horne.
"It’s bad luck for Rob, but he’s made an encouraging start to his international career, starting in every Test that we’ve played this year," Deans said.
Horne's place in the side has been taken by Queensland Reds loose forward Scott Higginbotham.
Western Force loose forward Ben McCalman and Western Force winger Cameron Shepherd will also join the Wallabies camp in New Zealand.