Chiefs openside flanker Mitchell Karpik has ruptured the ACL in his left knee and is out of the 2016 Super Rugby season.

Mitchell Karpik of Auckland against Canterbury in the NPC. Source: Photosport

The 20-year-old from Auckland sustained the injury during last week's pre-season match against the Waratahs in Rotorua and is expected to be out for six to nine months.

"I'm choosing to see it as a bump in the road and will take the opportunity to mature my body and get ready for what will hopefully be a long career ahead of me," Karpick said.

The blow has compounded the Chiefs' injury woes after Crusaders recruits Nepo Laulala (knee, season) and Dominic Bird (foot, seven weeks) were also sidelined.

The Chiefs are also without All Blacks Sevens halfback Augustine Pulu (broken arm, 8-10 weeks) and will start the season without Japan captain Michael Leitch who has not had a break from rugby since the 2015 Super Rugby season due to commitments at the Rugby World Cup and Japanese Top League.