Rugby League: Kiwi captain unlikely for World Cup

New Zealand rugby league captain Richie Barnett's chances of playing in the World Cup appear bleak in the aftermath of the horrific head injury he suffered on Good Friday.

Barnett had a six-hour operation yesterday to insert 18 plates in his face after his head-on collision with Australian winger Wendell Sailor during the Anzac test in Sydney.

NZRL chief executive Gary Allcock was told by doctors the recovery time could be up to four months.

That would give the Kiwi captain minimal time to reach match fitness before the World Cup in October.

Allcock said Barnett's face was unrecognisable and he would be unable to talk for up to eight weeks. He was communicating with notes.

"He's definitely in serious doubt," Allcock said. "He would have recovered physically by then but he won't have played a game for a long time."

- NZPA