Nehe Milner-Skudder talks about the injury which will see him miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season.

Nehe Milner-Skudder is set to become Super Rugby's most twinkle-toed water boy.

The brilliant Hurricanes outside back is booked in for shoulder reconstruction surgery next week, which will prevent him from playing for at least six months. But the 25-year-old is determined that the injury, suffered in last Friday's 23-19 win over the Blues, won't keep him off the paddock entirely.

"I'm obviously going to have a bit of time on my hands so I'll probably try and find things to keep myself busy," a philosophical Milner-Skudder said on Wednesday afternoon.

David Unwin/ Fairfax NZ The Hurricanes' loss might be Manawatu's gain, now that Nehe Milner-Skudder will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.

"Obviously I'd love to still contribute to the boys and chip in where I can. I'll probably see how my hydration technician [water boy] skills go and making protein shakes."

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He should get plenty of practice over the next few months, as he quietly gets himself back to full fitness. Assuming it's September when Milner-Skudder makes it back on the park, provincial rugby with Manawatu might be his first assignment.

Nehe Milner-Skudder took world rugby by storm in 2015.

Then, given what a star he's become on the international stage, the All Blacks' end of year tour would presumably beckon. For now, though, the hard slog of rehab awaits.

Players know their bodies very well and can often predict how bad an injury might be. But, with no reference point, Milner-Skudder had no idea what might be in store when he fell heavily on his elbow at Eden Park.

"Because I didn't have any shoulder problems in the past I wasn't too familiar with it. But it was quite sore at the time and I remained pretty positive and pretty optimistic about what the diagnosis was going to be, so to hear I'm going to be out for a while was pretty disappointing," he said.

Anthony Au-Yeung It will be September before Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder is back on the paddock. Photo: PHOTOSPORT.

Milner-Skudder is a one-off talent whose ability to beat defenders isn't shared by everyone. But, starting with Friday's match against the Western Force in Palmerston North, the Hurricanes will be able to make-do much better than most sides would.

"Nehe had a great season for us last year and he was coming into his game this year and it's bloody sad for him and he's a fantastic player who'll be sorely missed," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said.

"I guess the only upside is that with Julian [Savea] and Cory Jane, James Marshall, Jason Woodward and Matt Proctor I still feel confident that we've got a pretty useful back-three. But Nehe's special, eh?"

Jane gets first crack on the right wing and is among the four players who've been drafted into the Hurricanes' run-on side. Captain Dane Coles heads that list, replacing Leni Apisai at hooker after recovering from a niggling calf injury.

Chris Eves comes in for Reggie Goodes at loosehead prop, while Vaea Fifita assumes Brad Shields' spot at blindside flanker. Shields suffered a deep cut to the thumb against the Blues and wasn't fit to play the Force.

The same for Goodes, who has not passed his concussion protocols following a head knock. Apisai suffered similar but has recovered better and could've taken a spot on the bench if absolutely necessary. Ricky Riccitelli will remain the reserve hooker instead.

There's no dramas about Coles' fitness, though. Even if his temperament has been tested by three weeks of being unable to lead the team he loves so much.

"I'm not a very good watcher of the games, to be honest. I'm a really emotional watcher, so that's why I just stayed home by myself and watched it [on television]," Coles said.

In his eagerness to play, Coles probably pushed himself too hard last week. He was originally named to play the Blues, but had to withdraw when tightness developed in his calf muscle.

Now he's fit and raring to go.

Hurricanes team to meet Western Force: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Dane Coles (c), Chris Eves. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Michael Fatialofa, Calum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward.