Rugby League World Cup: Ponga, Fainu and Mariner injuries lead team news before round two

Several teams at the men’s Rugby League World Cup have injury problems before round two, which starts on Friday 23 October. Teams are due to name their 21-man squads on Tuesday, Serious About Rugby League reported.

New Zealand: fullback Kalyn Ponga had surgery on a broken forearm after New Zealand’s 24-22 loss to Australia, BBC Sport reported. Team doctor Greg Macleod said Ponga “will remain in camp”, and BBC Sport said he has an outside chance of being fit for the final on 15 November. Keano Kini is set to play fullback against the Cook Islands in Christchurch on Sunday and Fiji on the Gold Coast on 31 October, BBC Sport said.

Tonga: halfback Latu Fainu hurt a pectoral muscle in the first half of the 30-12 win over England and was replaced by Tui Lolohea. Serious About Rugby League said Tonga’s medical staff were optimistic the strain was not as serious as first thought.

Samoa: winger Deine Mariner went off with a hamstring injury about 10 minutes into the 78-4 win over France, according to Serious About Rugby League and the ABC.

England: Morgan Smithies is out of the tournament and has been replaced by Kallum Watkins, the Rugby Football League said. Morgan Knowles (calf) withdrew before the Tonga game, All Out Rugby League reported.

Others: Lebanon’s Charbel Tasipale needs further checks before the Tonga game (All Out Rugby League), and the Cook Islands lost Marata Niukore to a groin injury (Serious About Rugby League).

For Australia’s loss of Mitchell Moses, see our earlier report.