BIG BLOW: Robbie Fruean fractured his right arm in the Crusaders' 40-16 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Crusaders utility back Robbie Fruean has had surgery to insert a plate in his arm and could be out for up to five months.

Fruean fractured his right arm in the Crusaders' 40-16 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton last Saturday night.

A statement from the Crusaders said it generally took between four and five months to recover from that type of injury.

"We know that Robbie wanted to make this a great season so this is hugely disappointing for him," Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said.

"We know that he will continue to contribute to the team while he is on the road to recovery and we hope that he is able to make a full recovery before the season is over."

Fruean joins the long-term injury list alongside Fijian wing Jone Macilai (broken arm) and halfback Willi Heinz (broken leg), who were both injured in the first pre-season match against the Highlanders.

But Blackadder should have last year's top try-scorer Nemani Nadolo back for the Crusaders' next match against the Lions in Christchurch on March 14.

Nadolo is working his way back to match fitness for the Crusaders Knights development team after a season in Japan with the NEC Green Rockets.