NRL Casualty Ward: Watson suffers head knock

Five-eighth Latu Fainu has suffered a pectoral injury in an early blow to Tonga's World Cup hopes. 

The playmaker picked up the injury early in Saturday's clash with England and eventually left the field after 17 minutes. 

Reports suggest it is a pectoral strain, with Tongan medical officials optimistic it is not as serious as first feared. 

Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after suffering a leg injury against the Kiwis in the opening match.

The Kangaroos camp confirmed on Saturday that the Parramatta playmaker had diagnosed with a high-grade muscle tear following a MRI in Sydney.

Moses picked up the injury midway through the first half of Thursday night's game against the Kiwis and initially battled on after receiving treatment. He lasted just two minutes of the second half, however, and limped from the field. 

Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange will replace Moses in the 23-man Kangaroos squad in Brisbane in coming days.

“Mitch made a wonderful contribution to our World Cup preparations during the camp in Sydney and very bravely tried to play through the injury until he eventually had to come from the field on Thursday night," said Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters.

“He is naturally disappointed at the outcome today and the fact that he tried to stay out there when he was clearly injured shows just what it means to him to represent his country and play in the Kangaroos jersey. We wish Mitch all the best with his recovery.”

Meanwhile, Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga has had surgery to repair a broken arm and remains an outside chance of returning before the end of the World Cup.

Ponga picked up the injury while tackling Cameron Munster early in the second half of Thursday night's clash against Australia and battled on for another 20 minutes, even scoring a sensational solo try before he was replaced with 10 minutes to play. 

The Knights superstar had his arm in a sling post-match and scans confirmed he suffered a broken left arm. 

Ponga will remain in camp with the Kiwis and will do everything in his power to get back on the field should New Zealand progress deep into the tournament.

On Friday night at CommBank Stadium the Samoan side lost winger Deine Mariner to a hamstring injury in the first half of their clash with France.

Bears recruit Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury at training with England in the lead-up to their opening game against Tonga in Perth.

Smithies has been replaced by Leeds second-rower Kallum Watkins, who will join Brian McDermott’s England squad on the weekend after receiving a late call-up. 

Should Watkins feature, he will play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup after previously representing his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 as well as in Australia when England progressed to the 2017 final. 

McDermott said: "It's really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.

“Morgan had been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.

“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup.

"I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations."

Cook Islands has lost forward Marata Niukore with a groin injury sustained at training ahead of Sunday's match against Fiji, while star back Val Holmes was not named.

Holmes is still recovering from a syndesmosis injury sustained in St George Illawarra's Round 27 defeat of Parramatta.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will miss Australia's World Cup campaign due to a foot injury.

Collins played through the pain to help the Roosters to grand final glory and was initially named in Kevin Walters' Kangaroos squad but has since been ruled out and replaced by Lindsay Smith.

The Panthers have provided a promising update on the potential return of Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary after he underwent surgery on both legs.

The Penrith co-captain suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in the preliminary final loss against the Knights and was taken straight to hospital where he had an operation to insert a plate and screws

Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed post-match that Nathan would also require surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot which he had carried into the match.

"Who knows what an injury - these days - takes," said Panthers CEO Andrew Hill while talking to 2GB's Continuous Call team the day before the NRL grand final.

"What used to take three months, is now three weeks.

"The indication from the surgeon is everything going to plan.