The Highlanders have suffered a huge blow on the eve of the Super rugby season kickoff with All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly ruled out for six weeks with a shoulder injury.

Donnelly suffered a partial dislocation during a warm-up match last weekend against the Chiefs.

However there has been some good news for Donnelly with further medical checks in recent days showing the injury would not require surgery.

Donnelly is expected to be fit for the Highlanders match against the ACT Brumbies on April 1, a team spokesman said.

It hasn't been a good start to the year for New Zealand, who host the Rugby World Cup in September, with All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw also sidelined for six weeks with a stress fracture to his right foot.

The Highlanders travel to Wellington on Friday week to play the Hurricanes in the first game of the Super rugby season.

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