Kalyn Ponga will have surgery on a broken left arm after playing on through the injury in New Zealand’s 24-22 Rugby League World Cup loss to Australia in Sydney on Thursday night.
New Zealand Rugby League confirmed in a statement on Friday 16 October that the 28-year-old fullback broke the radius in his left arm in the second half and stayed on the field until the 70th minute.
“We wish Kalyn all the best with his surgery today,” Kiwis team doctor Greg Macleod said. “We’ll see how that goes but for now he will remain in camp.”
The Kiwis have not said how long Ponga will be sidelined or whether his tournament is over. New Zealand’s next pool match is against the Cook Islands in Christchurch on 25 October, RNZ reported.
A brilliant debut cut short
Ponga’s first Test for New Zealand, after a change to international eligibility rules allowed him to switch allegiance, was one of the stories of the opening night. He scored two tries, ran 253 metres from 16 carries and made three line breaks and five tackle breaks, according to NZRL.
Read more: Jack Bostock Hat-Trick Seals Kangaroos 24-22 World Cup Win
He hurt the arm in the 51st minute, NRL.com reported, with Fox Sports saying the injury came while he was tackling Kangaroos star Cameron Munster.
“He couldn’t catch a ball or anything like that. He was in a lot of discomfort,” Kiwis coach Stacey Jones said after the match, as reported by Fox Sports.
Captain James Fisher-Harris praised his fullback’s toughness. “Yeh he’s a tough bugger,” he said, according to RNZ. “Obviously a lot of pride in the black and white jersey and he didn’t want to let his team mates down.”
Read more: Kangaroos vs Kiwis Preview: Walsh and Ponga Lead World Cup Opener
Keano Kini in line for the No.1 jersey
Jones said on Thursday night that Gold Coast Titans fullback Keano Kini, who replaced Ponga late in the match, was the likely choice to step in if Ponga could not play against the Cook Islands.
“He’s the obvious player to come in and this is his third campaign. He knows what’s required,” Jones said, according to Fox Sports.
If Ponga’s tournament is over, New Zealand will have the option of asking for clearance to add an extra player to their squad, AAP reported.
Ponga was one of the NRL’s best players this season and helped Newcastle reach the grand final. His absence would be a major blow to a Kiwis side chasing a second World Cup title, with the loss to Australia meaning a likely semi-final against the top team from the other side of the draw, Samoa or England, RNZ reported.
More News
