Panthers forward James Fisher-Harris has been dealt a major injury blow after suffering a pectoral muscle tear while training in the gym earlier this week.

The 23-year-old will undergo surgery to repair the damage and is set to be sidelined for at least four months.

The injury is also a setback for the New Zealand Kiwis, with Fisher-Harris now unavailable for the World Cup Nines and upcoming Tests against Great Britain.

Four Panthers have been selected to represent Samoa in the Nines, while Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau were named in the Fiji squad.