New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has extended his sabbatical from rugby and will miss the entire Super Rugby season.
He aims to return for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in August - 10 months since his last game, New Zealand's 38-21 defeat by England at Twickenham.
McCaw will play for his Christchurch club side, which All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hopes will ease the pressure on the flanker.
"I want him to stay away - he will be in good shape when he gets back and there is no way he would let himself go," said Hansen.
The 32-year-old hopes to prolong his international career long enough to play in one more World Cup - the 2015 tournament in England - with the help of the sabbatical.
