The wait goes on for Coles

Dane Coles could be done for the year.

The All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker has had a second operation on the knee he injured in Paris last year. Things were more successful this time around, but the 31-year-old still faces at least three months on the sideline.

Calf, rib and concussion problems have hampered the Hurricanes’ captain in recent seasons, with this Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture having sidelined him since November. Not that he’s complaining. At least not really.

‘‘I think I’m living the best of both worlds. Still training, but then I don’t have to play. I go to the games and I’ve done a lot of promos and stuff but, to be honest, pretty sick of watching rugby and pretty keen to get on that paddock but that’s just the way it is,’’ Coles said yesterday.

Coles’ first knee surgery came in December, before a second round 10 days ago.

‘‘I just couldn’t get an extension in my leg, so it was preventing me from running. So they took some scar tissue out and it’s really good. I did some running this morning on one of these Alter-Gravity treadmills,’’ he season and head into next year.’’

Coles can afford to be patient with this injury because he knows it will heal in time and that he will play again. That wasn’t the case last year, as he struggled to recover from a head knock.

‘‘I learned a lot from last year. I’m in a good headspace and just working hard to come back.’’ Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Murray Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Finlay Christie, Ihaia West, Jonah Lowe.

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (captain), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Mike Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Chris King, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.

Hurricanes team to play the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow: Nehe Milner-Skudder,