Tamaiti Williams during the All Blacks captains run, Eden Park. Photo: Lynne Cameron/ActionPress
All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the three tests against France as he will require surgery for a torn meniscus.
Williams, who plays for the champion Crusaders, pulled up with a painful knee following the Super Rugby final and scans revealed the tear.
Assessment by a surgeon on Monday morning confirmed surgery would be required.
Williams is the second All Blacks forward to miss the series, which begins on Saturday in Dunedin, through injury.
Loose forward Wallace Sititi has been ruled out with an ankle injury and replaced by Christian Lio-Willie.
Coach Scott Robertson has called George Bower into the squad to replace Williams.
Twenty-two test cap All Black Bower has not played for New Zealand since late 2022, leading many to speculate that he would make a switch of national allegiance to Fiji.
However, in April Bower extended his stay in New Zealand rugby signing on until 2027.
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