A man in early 30s was rushed into emergency surgery this morning after being stabbed in a fight outside a pub in Hobart’s northern suburbs.

The man had been drinking at the Mustard Pot Hotel in Moonah and became involved in a fight with two men described as being of African appearance.

It is understood the man initially thought he had only received a few hard punches, but when he got to his home a short distance away he found he was bleeding from stab wounds in the upper body.

He has undergone surgery in the Royal Hobart Hospital and is believed to be in a stable condition.

Heavy rain overnight at the crime scene is hampering the police investigation.