Injury has ruled Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis out of the Super 14 rugby final against the Hurricanes here on Saturday.
Ellis was told the bad news this afternoon after sustaining a knee injury in his team's 35-15 semifinal win over the Bulls in Christchurch two days ago.
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans had earlier said he would give Ellis, who has impressed hugely in his first season of Super rugby, every chance to make the match 22.
But his and Ellis' hopes ended hours later when Crusaders doctor Deb Robinson confirmed the halfback had torn a medial ligament in his right knee and would be in a brace for six weeks before he could return to training.
It will be a huge disappointment for Ellis, 22, who has been widely tipped as a contender for the expanded All Blacks squad being named on Sunday.
Robinson's prognosis would not have caught Deans by surprise, with Deans earlier admitting the prospects for a berth in the final were not at all bright for Ellis, whose slick passing and attacking skills have seen him gain the inside running over fellow halfback Kevin Senio at various stages this season.
Deans said Ellis had been "talking up his prospects of playing" and had a "hugely positive" attitude which would certainly help his recovery.
"That's a reflection of Andrew," Deans said.
"He's a really positive character and you can see that in the way he plays the game."
Senio is now certain to start the match when the Crusaders name their team on Thursday.
Who will provide the back-up is a much more complicated question.
Deans said his "contingency plans" included first five-eighth Dan Carter as a "possibility" as the back-up halfback should Senio himself be injured during the final, with wider Crusaders squad member Matt France an option for the reserves.
"We'll make the choice at the time but we won't be going outside our group," Deans said.
Deans said all his other players were fit and available for the final.
He expects nothing less than a tough physical encounter on Saturday -- as matches between the franchises have traditionally proved over recent years -- and believes solid preparation is the key for his side's title ambitions.
"There's no doubt they'll look to attack and they'll attack where they believe they've got the best chance of succeeding," Deans said.
"We've just got to be up for whatever they throw at us."
The Hurricanes were "really strong" around the breakdown and accuracy in the contact area was going to be a big challenge for the Crusaders.
Deans said he expected a full house at Jade Stadium, compared to Saturday night's disappointing crowd of 26,000 in the 35,000-capacity stadium for the semifinal.
NZPA