League: Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana played second half of New Zealand's loss to England with injury says Kiwis boss Maguire

Rapana played the second half of the Kiwis' loss to England with a shoulder dislocation. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana will return home tomorrow and could face up to six months on the sideline after injuring his shoulder in the second test loss to England in Liverpool.

Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire revealed to Radio Sport that Rapana played the second half of New Zealand's 20-14 defeat with a dislocated shoulder.

Rapana, who sustained the injury in the first half, will return to Canberra - where he plays for the Raiders - tomorrow, according to nrl.com.

Maguire was speaking after the Kiwis' series loss and confirmed that Rapana played through the pain for much of the match.

"He did yeah (play on with an injury).

"But at halftime the doctors assessed him and he was okay."

Rapana's right edge was evidently targeted by the English and the Wayne Bennett-coached side's pursuits bore fruit as they successfully overturned an eight-point deficit to clinch the series.

Maguire also believed that Rapana's injury allowed England to take advantage of the Kiwis' right side of play.

Rapana could be on the sidelines for as long as six weeks. Photo / Getty Images

"I think they obviously thought there was a bit of a pathway across on that (right) side because they were actually quite strong the week before.

"And then you know once Jordan had to go off we had to push our back row out so they capitalised on the fact that it was a few little changes there in our defensive line," Maguire said.

Maguire believes Rapana's injury allowed England to take advantage of the Kiwis' right side of play. Photo / Photosport

The 29-year old winger is expected to return to Canberra for further assessment on the injury, which would determine how long he would be on the sidelines for.