League: Wiki injury blow for the Kiwis

7.55am

Captain Ruben Wiki has been forced out of the test against Great Britain in Hull on Sunday after suffering a broken jaw in the win over France last Friday.

Medical staff had been waiting for the swelling to go down and a scan has revealed a fracture, with Wiki likely to be sidelined for six weeks.

Ali Lauitiiti comes off the bench in place of Wiki, with Alex Chan added to the 18 for the match.

The injury follows the withdrawal of Sonny Bill Williams who has a shoulder problem.

Dene Halatau earns his second test cap at hooker, with Louis Anderson moving to lock in place of Williams.

Wairangi Koopu comes onto the bench to replace David Kidwell.

Meanwhile, coach Daniel Anderson has named an unchanged backline for their final tri-series match with halfback Thomas Leuluai passing a fitness test.

Leuluai has been struggling with a shoulder injury, but Anderson has named him in the side.

The youngster admits it was touch and go.

He says the physio has been working on it a lot and he might need a couple of injections to get through the game.

- NEWSTALK ZB