New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga will have surgery on a broken forearm suffered in the Rugby League World Cup opener against Australia, in a major blow to the Kiwis’ title hopes.
Ponga was injured in a tackle with Kangaroos five-eighth Cameron Munster in the second half of New Zealand’s 24-22 defeat in Sydney on Thursday.
The 28-year-old played on and scored the second of his two tries after the tackle, before leaving the field in the 70th minute.
New Zealand have not ruled Ponga out of the tournament, but he has little chance of playing again before the final on November 15.
Kiwis team doctor Greg Macleod confirmed Ponga had been booked in for surgery.
“We’ll see how that goes but for now he will remain in camp,” Macleod said.
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