Sunday 13 November 2016 16:54, UK
New Zealand coach David Kidwell has refused to draw a line under the international career of Thomas Leuluai after he sustained a double fracture in his jaw during the Kiwis' 18-18 draw with Scotland.
The 31-year-old will undergo surgery after sustaining the injury in a clash of heads in the second half of the Four Nations game at Workington on 11 November.
Leuluai's injury rules out of the final against Australia next Sunday if New Zealand go through at the expense of England and Kidwell confirmed he is unable to bring in a replacement.
"He's broken his jaw in two places from a head clash and requires surgery," Kidwell said.
"He's more disappointed about the draw than himself, that's the kind of guy he is.
"With the tournament rules, we can't replace anyone from our 24-man squad, so we will just have to see the result on Sunday and go from there."
Leuluai is returning to Wigan for 2017 after cutting short his second spell with New Zealand Warriors and Kidwell is keeping the door open for him ahead of next year's World Cup.
"I never put lines through any players," Kidwell said.
"Tommy is a great leader around this group and he has been for a long time. The stuff he does off the field as well as on it, he really leads by example. He is a very valuable person within our Kiwi camp."
