Australian Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses and New Zealand Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga could be ruled out for the rest of the 2026 World Cup campaign after being dealt disastrous injury blows.
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Minutes after the half-time break in the nation’s opening match against New Zealand, Moses was forced off the field, with Tom Dearden replacing him in the halves.
Sideline reporter Jelissa Apps said on Channel Seven it was a calf injury.
“Mitch Moses is off & wont return – succumbing to a reported calf issue,” Brien Seeney aka NRL Physio tweeted.
“Appeared to initially suffer the injury in the first half & battled through, but had to come from the field just after half time.
“Moses would likely have to hope for a minor strain to be back in this World Cup – a more significant tear would usually require a month or more on the sidelines.”
Walsh hunts down Ponga | 00:40
The Parramatta Eels skipper likely picked up the injury before the Kangaroos’ opening try in the 19th minute, after Reece Walsh took over goal-kicking duties.
Veteran rugby league reporter David Riccio said on Channel Seven that he had spoken with “people that matter” at the Kangaroos and that Moses needs scans to confirm there is no hairline fracture.
“It was a calf problem initially, but there are concerns that there could be something more sinister,” he added on Channel Seven.
Moses’s injury means it will be a two-way battle between Dearden and 2026 premiership winner and incumbent Queensland Maroons representative Sam Walker to wear the No.7 jersey in their next match against Fiji.
“He’s not too good in there. We will get some scans tomorrow for him but once he cooled down at half-time he was okay then when he cooled down he sort of felt the injury a bit more,” coach Kevin Walters said.
“We’ll get some scans tomorrow and hopefully he’ll be okay but we will see what happens there.
“It’s not so much his calf. It’s more the side of his leg. We’ll get some scans and see but when you come off like that there’s obviously something a little bit wrong.”
If Moses ends up being ruled out for the tournament Walters can call upon Ethan Strange to replace him in the extended squad.
However, as it stands Sam Walker and Tom Dearden will contend for his spot in the halves alongside Cameron Munster.
“Sam will play next week and we will put Tom at five-eighth,” Walters added.
“They’ll both get their chance to wear the Green and Gold together which will be pretty exciting. They’ve never played together as a six and seven so that’ll be good.”
Meanwhile, Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga is also in doubt for the remainder of the tournament after suffering a suspected broken arm
“It’s not great news. A suspected broken arm. He will have to in for scans on it,” Apps confirmed.
Luke Keary added from the commentary box, “That’s enormous news! Not only for New Zealand but this tournament.”
Speaking post-match, Kiwis coach Stacey Jones confirmed he was unsure of the severity at this stage.
“We’re not to sure yet. It’s a possible fracture of the arm but he will go for scans and we’re not going to make a call on it right now,” Jones said.
“I think it was about 20 minutes he played on and toughed it out. A tough one.
“It was a couple of minutes after they scored a try when we were told what it possibly was and he had to come off. He couldn’t catch a ball and he was in a lot of discomfort.”
Captain James Fisher Harris added, “He’s a tough bugger. Obviously a lot of pride in the Black and White jersey and he didn’t want to let his teammates down.
“I thought he did an outstanding job. A freakish player but he was also one of those tough players and feeling for him right now.”
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