AUCKLAND — All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu will miss the rugby World Cup later this year after opting to undergo surgery on a hip problem that had been previously undiagnosed by medical staff. The 22-year-old Tuipulotu had been undergoing treatment on a groin injury when the Blues medical staff discovered the ‘developmental defect' with his hip, the Super Rugby side's doctor Stephen Kara said. Tuipulotu opted to have surgery on the problem now rather than risk ongoing issues over the long term, ruling him out of contention for the All Blacks World Cup squad for the Sept. 18-Oct. 31 tournament in England. Kara said surgery on one of his hips would be completed this week before the second surgery is done in about six weeks. — Reuters
