Kalyn Ponga's hopes of playing for New Zealand again at the Rugby League World Cup hang by a thread, after the superstar fullback failed to finish his long-awaited debut for the Kiwis with a suspected broken arm.
Ponga, who received clearance earlier this year to switch his allegiance to New Zealand, scored two tries as his side fell to a 24-22 defeat to Australia on the opening night of the tournament.
Newcastle captain Ponga is viewed as critical to the Kiwis' hopes of claiming their first World Cup since 2008.