WELLINGTON (AFP) - All Black winger Joe Rokocoko has been sidelined for up to four months due to a wrist injury and will miss Tests against Ireland and England as well as part of the Tri-Nations series.

The Fijian-born star picked up the injury playing for the Auckland Blues in the Super 14 series against the Western Force last month, but managed to play on against the Stormers, Bulls and Waratahs.

However, team doctor Stephen Kara said Monday that Rokocoko had ruptured a ligament in the wrist and to continue playing could cause long-term damage.

"If not surgically repaired, (it) will lead to long-term disruption of all the wrist bones and painful arthritis within five years," Kara told reporters.

The 24-year-old Rokocoko, who has scored 43 tries in 48 Tests, is due to have surgery this week and will be out of action for three to four months.

He said it was difficult to come to terms with not playing, particularly when he was not suffering pain.

"Today I just know that I can't carry on playing, otherwise there will be a few more complications later in my career," he said.

"It's hard for me to leave the team and not play, especially when my wrist doesn't really hurt."