All Black centre Conrad Smith will miss the opening rounds of the new Four Nations Rugby Championship at least due to an eye injury.

Hurricanes centre Smith has undergone two operations on his eye since his Super Rugby team's last match but he now needs time to recover.

Hurricanes Doctor Ian Murphy said, "Conrad had two procedures on his left eye for a retinal detachment last week, with the second on Friday. "

"They both went well and he is now recovering at home. At this stage he is expected to be out of training for six weeks."

The injury means that Smith will miss at least the first two Rugby Championship matches which are against Australia in in Sydney on August 18th and again a week later in Auckland.

The loss of Smith is a blow for the All Blacks as his fellow midfielder Sonny Bill Williams will not play in this year's tournament as he is leaving New Zealand to play in Japan.

The All Blacks depth will be tested in the midfield as Richard Kahui is also unavailable as he suffered a shoulder dislocation playing against the Reds on May the 13th.