The Chiefs' Richard Kahui nurses a dislocated shoulder that is set to sideline him for the rest of the season © PA Photos

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New Zealand have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their forthcoming series against Ireland with the news that Richard Kahui has suffered what is thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury.

The in-form Chiefs centre dislocated his shoulder early in the second half of his side's 42-27 defeat to the Reds in their Super Rugby clash in Brisbane on Sunday.

Kahui's partnership with Sonny Bill Williams has been one of the highlights of the Chiefs' impressive start to the campaign that sees them top of the New Zealand conference and on course for the play-offs. But it appears they - and the All Blacks - will have to do without his services for several months.

"We'll get the shoulder scanned tomorrow, but the likelihood is it's the end of his season from a Super Rugby viewpoint," said coach Dave Rennie. "Richard had a big impact in the time he was on the field. I feel for him because he's a bloody top man, a big part of our leadership group and obviously the All Blacks were pretty keen on him playing there.

"It's disappointing for him, but knowing him he'll still have a bit to say about what goes on from here in regard to what we do on the track and helping out the young fellas."

The Chiefs boss also played down the significance of an apparent referee blunder as his side slipped to only their second defeat of the season. The Reds' Luke Morahan escaped a yellow card for a tip-tackle on Williams and has since been issued with an off-field yellow.

"To be honest, he didn't deserve to be sinbinned," Rennie said. "We watched it, thought there was nothing in it and we got a penalty so we were happy. If he had have been binned it could have been a big moment in the game, but it probably wasn't warranted."

The All Blacks will name a 35-man training squad on Monday, which will be cut back to 30 on June 3 ahead of the opening Test with Ireland in Auckland on June 9.