All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu's rugby year is all but over after confirmation on Thursday he will need a shoulder operation.

The winger returned to Super 14 action for the Chiefs last Friday after a recovering from a knee strain, but has continued to have on-going problems with his left shoulder.

Coach Ian Foster said Sivivatu saw a specialist on Wednesday and the decision was made that he should undergo surgery in about three weeks.

Foster said the usual recovery period for such an operation was about six months.

"We will obviously get a definitive number once they go in and do the operation," he said.

"But I would say that's basically him for 2010."

Foster said Sivivatu had been in the rehabilitation phase for the injury since last year.

"The fact that it's continued to happen really has made the decision pretty clear and obvious."

Sivivatu, 28, has played 43 Tests for New Zealand since making his debut against his country of birth, Fiji, in 2005.

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