New Zealand's Ponga to have surgery on broken forearm
New Zealand refuse to rule full-back Kalyn Ponga out of the rest of the Rugby League World Cup as he prepares to have surgery on a broken forearm.
New Zealand rugby league team forward Kalyn Ponga suffered a broken forearm during the World Cup match against Australia on Thursday. Despite playing for 20 minutes with the injury, Ponga was forced to leave the field in the 70th minute. He will undergo surgery and remain with the team, but his chances of playing in the final in Brisbane on November 15 are slim, assuming New Zealand advances.
New Zealand team doctor Greg Macleod expressed confidence in Ponga's recovery but acknowledged it's an uncertain situation at this point. The loss of Ponga, known for his outstanding performance in the NRL Grand Final earlier this year, is a setback for the team. Keano Kini of the Gold Coast Titans is expected to fill in for Ponga in the final two Pool A matches against the Cook Islands and Fiji.
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