WALLABIES secondrower Dan Vickerman will be sidelined for up to six months after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction yesterday.
Vickerman, who has returned to the NSW Waratahs after three years studying at Cambridge University, will miss the first three to four months of next year's Super Rugby competition.
The veteran lock showed great courage to play with the injured shoulder at the World Cup in New Zealand, but was unable to take part in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Wales in the bronze-medal playoff game.
While Vickerman was set to play a key role for the Waratahs next season, they still have several good locks in Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas on their roster, while back-five forward Dave Dennis can also cover secondrow.