New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu may be out of action until May as he recovers from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the All Blacks' season-ending tour.

The 56-test forward will have a late start to the Auckland Blues' Super Rugby campaign with caution over a complex AC (acromioclavicular) injury.

"(The shoulder) looked like it was hanging off because my AC joint was sticking out so bad," Tuipulotu, 32, told New Zealand media with his right arm in a sling.

"The surgeon is quite pedantic about actually getting it right. I'm pretty keen on that."

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