Kangaroos forward Sam Thaiday is likely to miss the rest of the Four Nations tournament, after he suffered a suspected fractured eye socket in his side’s win over England on Monday morning (AEDT).
Australia claimed the match 38-16 at the London Stadium, however Thaiday was forced from the field following a heavy collision with England forward James Graham.
The pair clashed heads, with the Australian coming off second best, and was taken to hospital for scans on the injury.
“Unfortunately it will probably put [Thaiday] out of the game next week,” Australian coach Mal Meninga said post-match.
“I think it was accidental.”
Kangaroos playmaker Cooper Cronk echoed those sentiments after the comprehensive victory.
“With no disrespect to the other squads we’ve had previously, but we go deep into the 24-man roster,” Cronk said after injuries to Thaiday and dynamic back Josh Mansour.
“Mal has stated he picked his best team tonight, and there will probably be changes through injury but as a senior player, I am super confident you can bring in anyone in this squad [and] they can do a job.”