KEY POINTS:
Winger Tame Tupou and interchange forward Epalahame Lauaki are both in doubt for the Kiwis' second test against Great Britain in Hull on Sunday (NZT).
Tupou injured his left knee just before halftime in yesterday's 14-20 first test loss in Huddersfield and was unable to return for the second half.
Lauaki was forced off with a calf muscle injury five minutes into the second spell.
After medical reviews today, Kiwis team doctor Simon Mayhew said Tupou had a minor cruciate ligament injury while Lauaki had a small tear in his right calf.
The two players have not been ruled out of the second test but are rated doubtful starters at this stage.
Also receiving treatment is prop Fuifui Moimoi.
Mayhew said Moimoi had complained of pain in his jaw and neck.
He was on a course of painkillers and was having difficulty eating some foods.
Moimoi's injury would require further assessment in the next day or two.
New Zealand coach Gary Kemble hailed his young Kiwis after a battling performance in Hull.
Their defeat was a vast improvement on the record 0-58 loss to Australia in Wellington on October 14, although Kemble has demanded more from his inexperienced squad during the rest of the three-test series against Great Britain.
Both teams scored three tries, the difference being Great Britain's man-of-the-match halfback Rob Burrow, who landed all four of his goalkicking attempts, while recalled Kiwi standoff Lance Hohaia kicked one from three.
The Kiwis led twice with tries to Shontayne Hape and Paul Whatuira giving them a 10-8 halftime lead, while Samoan-born forward Maurie Fa'asavalu scored on his debut for Great Britain.
The British fought back in the second stanza, with Gareth Raynor and 18-year-old debutant Sam Burgess touching down before Hape claimed his second try.
"We've improved out of sight over the last seven-eight days in regards to the team unit and the group," Kemble said.
"The team is very young and I thought they really came on by putting on a good battle on foreign ground, which is always tough.
"And we'll improve on this."
Kemble has already seen four of his initial squad ruled out and was pleased with the way his side soldiered on despite the latest injury setbacks to Tupou and Lauaki.
"I was very impressed with our effort," Kemble said.
"We were down to 15 men for most of the second half and I thought our commitment was good.
"I think our defence was good but our rhythm got upset with losing those two players and we lost our shape a bit in the second half."
Sam Perrett was the other Kiwi on debut and an otherwise impressive performance was spoilt by an error which gifted Great Britain their second try.
The Sydney Roosters fullback misjudged Burrow's grubber kick into the in-goal area, allowing Raynor to touch down and put the hosts back in front.
"He had that one blue, as fullbacks always do, but there was a bit of luck involved there too," Kemble said.
"I thought he had a great game for his first game up and he'll just get better from it."
British prop Burgess, who rocked the Kiwis with a couple of big hits, was put on report for a high tackle on Fuifui Moimoi.
- NZPA