New Zealand have refused to rule Kalyn Ponga out of the remainder of the Rugby League World Cup as he prepares to have surgical procedure on a damaged forearm.
The complete-back performed on for round 20 minutes with the damage, sustained throughout Thursday's epic match opener in opposition to co-hosts Australia, which the Kiwis misplaced 24-22.
Ponga stayed on the pitch – and scored the second of his two tries – after breaking his arm in a deal with with Kangaroos stand-off Cameron Munster, earlier than lastly coming off within the seventieth minute.
He’ll stay with the squad as soon as he has had surgical procedure, though he has solely an outdoor likelihood of being match for the ultimate in Brisbane on 15 November, ought to New Zealand get there.
"We want Kalyn all the most effective along with his surgical procedure right now," New Zealand crew physician Greg Macleod stated on Friday.
"We'll see how that goes however for now he’ll stay in camp."
The lack of Ponga, who scored a strive in an outstanding show for Newcastle Knights once they misplaced 19-18 to Sydney Roosters within the NRL Grand Remaining on 4 October, is a big blow to New Zealand.
Gold Coast Titans full-back Keano Kini is about to step in for the Kiwis' remaining two Pool A matches, in opposition to the Cook dinner Islands in Christchurch on 25 October and Fiji in Gold Coast on 31 October.
Kini stated: "Everyone knows the participant Kalyn Ponga is.
"If that does relaxation on me, I'll simply play my very own footy. I do know what kind of footy I can play so I again myself all day.
"That stuff doesn't faze me."
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