The Canterbury loose forward is due to have surgery on the ankle in Christchurch next week and is not expected to play again until next season.

Thorne, 27, has been suffering from the injury for the last year.

The operation involves reconstructing ligaments on the outside of his ankle.

"Reuben has been troubled by the injury for a long time and now is an opportune time to get it sorted out," All Blacks coach John Mitchell said on Friday.

"He is a critical part of our team and we felt that it was both in the best interest of his personal welfare and the long-term interest of the team that he gets the operation out of the way now."

Thorne, who led the All Blacks to seven wins from eight Tests this year, said the decision to miss the tour was "one of the hardest of my career."

He said: "It's going to be tough watching Canterbury for the rest of the season and then watching the All Blacks from afar but I have to look at the bigger picture.

"Trying to win the Rugby World Cup (in 2003) is the pinnacle for anyone's career.

"I played in the 1999 tournament and I'm not prepared to risk a possible second shot at it by playing on this year."