The Manly forward Anthony Watmough is in doubt for next month's Anzac rugby league Test against the Kiwis after badly injuring his elbow in the Sea Eagles' controversial win over North Queensland on Friday night.
Watmough has been battling the problem for several weeks and went into the round-seven NRL clash with his left elbow heavily strapped.
He aggravated the injury in an attempted tackle on Cowboys centre Brent Tate shortly before halftime in Manly's 26-21 win at Central Coast Stadium.
The 30-year-old didn't return to the field for the second half.
An extended stint on the sidelines would be a cruel blow for Watmough who was forced to sit out last year's end-of-season World Cup in England due to a knee injury.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheen said last week Watmough was very much in contention for a spot in the Australian side to play New Zealand in Sydney in two weeks.