All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against France with a knee injury.

The 32-year-old, who has only recently recovered from a wrist injury, will have to undergo surgery after aggravating an old knee problem.

He is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks and joins Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty (both concussed), Kieran Read (spine) and Dane Coles (knee) on a growing All Blacks injury list.

The first Test is at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday.

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