HSBC Waratahs lock Alex Kanaar will miss the start of the Super 14 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Kanaar had the procedure today after scans revealed some minor cartilage and meniscus damage.

The 24 year-old, who missed the 2007 season following reconstructive surgery on his right knee, is expected to spend up to eight weeks on the sidelines.

“After what i’ve been through in the last 12 months it’s a minor setback, nothing more,” Kanaar said.

“I’ve been training really well and the right knee’s feeling great so it’s disappointing the other one’s playing up now.

“But i’ll hopefully be right by late February or early March, which puts me right in the frame for round four against the Brumbies.”

The team returned to the training paddock today after post-Christmas testing and conditioning work on Wednesday.

The Waratahs kick off their trial programme against the Reds in Campbelltown on Australia Day, Saturday 26 January.

They then play the Brumbies (Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, Friday 1 February) and Crusaders (Rotomahana Challenge, Sydney Football Stadium, Thursday 7 February) before kicking off the Super 14 against the Hurricanes in Sydney on Saturday 16 February.

“Alex has been one of our hardest workers in training and he’s in excellent shape so it’s a shame for this to have happened now,” HSBC Waratahs head coach Ewen McKenzie said.

“We had been hoping to see him in the trials but instead we’ll shift our focus to getting him right for the Brumbies on March 7.”

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