St George Illawarra Dragons second-rower Tyson Frizell has been ruled of the NRL World All-Stars squad as a result of undergoing back surgery during the holiday break period.
The Wales international underwent the operation to correct a lumbar disk bulge after consultation with a surgeon prior to Christmas and has since commenced his rehabilitation this week.
Frizell is responding well to his light duties program but will not be able to commence any skills or contact training for at least 12 weeks.
Dragons Head of Medical and Performance Tony Ayoub said Frizell would miss the Dragons' season opener against the Storm at AAMI Park, Melbourne on Monday, March 7.
"Unfortunately, Tyson has suffered a few issues with his lumbar disk bulge prior to the Christmas break which had previously sidelined him during stages of the 2015 season," Ayoub said.
"We thought it would remain an ongoing issue throughout this year based on that fact so we sought out the opinion of a surgeon who agreed with his.
"Luckily we did do the surgery as they found three fragments from a disk in his spine which had to come out and has had instant relief because of it.
"He will most probably be right for either Round 2 or Round 3."
