With week one of the Rugby League World Cup now complete, here is a round-up of all the injury news ahead of tomorrow’s squad release.

The competition has taken the format of the NRL and NRLW, meaning that nations will all reveal their initial 21-man squads at the same time on a Tuesday morning.

A number of changes will need to be made heading into week two, with almost every side suffering at least one blow to their squad.

Some players are set to just miss one week, whilst others such as Australia’s Mitchell Moses have been ruled out for the entire tournament.

Rugby League World Cup week one injury run-down

 Australia 24-22 New Zealand:

Starting with the opening game of the tournament, both of the competition’s favourites have suffered key blows that will see players miss most, if not all, of the tournament.

New Zealand full-back Kalyn Ponga put on an incredible two-try display on Test debut, and did so with a broken arm. The issue has required surgery, but the Kiwis are confident they can get him back on the field before the World Cup is over.

Australia, meanwhile, have lost star Mitchell Moses to a high-grade muscle tear. The Parramatta man left the field two minutes into the second half before being replaced by Tom Dearden. Moses has left the Kangaroos’ camp, and has been replaced by Ethan Strange – who if selected to play will end any chance of him being eligible for England.

Aussie boss Kevin Walters has already confirmed that Dearden and Sam Walker will play in the halves against Fiji.

Samoa 78-4 France:

The French side were dealt two big blows before a ball was even kicked, with veteran pair Alrix Da Costa and Julian Bousquet both dropping out of the side prior to kick-off.

Their luck was made even worse just minutes into the contest against the Samoans, with Catalans Dragons winger Leo Darrelatour failing a HIA. Toulouse half-back Cesar Rouge also needed a head test, but he passed and was able to return.

Samoa secured a big win, but were hampered after just 10 minutes when winger Deine Mariner left the field due to a hamstring injury. It is currently unknown whether his World Cup is over.

Papua New Guinea 42-18 Lebanon:

The Kumuls didn’t report any injuries, but former Castleford forward Charbel Tasipale was a late withdrawal from Lebanon’s squad. His absence forced Wigan winger Abbas Miski to take up the unfamiliar position of back row.

Tonga 30-12 England: 

The Tongans suffered a major blow as half-back Latu Fainu suffered a pectoral injury in the first half of the win over England.

Tonga’s medical officials are optimistic that the strain isn’t as serious as first thought. He was replaced mid-game by recently-released Huddersfield man Tui Lolohea.

With AJ Brimson passing a late HIA, it meant that England didn’t suffer any injuries on Saturday, but the side heavily missed both Morgan Knowles (calf) and Morgan Smithies (reported hamstring).

Knowles was initially named to start against Kristian Woolf’s side, but pulled out closer to game day. Smithies has been confirmed to miss the rest of the World Cup, and has been replaced by Leeds’ Kallum Watkins.

Cook Islands lost forward Marata Niukore with a groin injury, whilst Valentine Holmes was a shock omission from the side’s line-up.

Bradford Bulls centre Esan Marsters lasted just 40 minutes as he played his first game since suffering an Achilles injury against Wakefield in April.

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