Rugby League: Doctors worry over Puletua

SYDNEY - Penrith forward Tony Puletua may be ruled out of the Kiwis' World Cup campaign after doctors yesterday expressed concern over an injury suffered in a National Rugby League playoff match.

Puletua, who will definitely miss the Panthers' sudden-death clash against Parramatta on Saturday night, is to undergo further tests today. Those results, which are expected tomorrow, could determine whether he plays again this season.

During the Panthers' 16-34 loss to Canberra last Friday night, Puletua was twice lifted and upended, landing on his shoulder.

The 21-year-old second-rower complained after the match of stiffness and pain in his neck and had scans done on Monday night.

Penrith media manager Robert Weaver said the scans showed that Puletua had two protruding discs which were inflaming his spinal cord.

"The doctor says he definitely cannot play this weekend, so he's out," Weaver said. "The specialist is a little bit concerned and wants to dig a little bit deeper."

Weaver said the additional tests, including a further scan and x-rays, would show just how bad the injury was.

"It could well be that he is gone for the season, which would be devastating for him and the club, and not terribly good news for New Zealand with the World Cup coming up," he said.

If that turns out to be the case, Puletua will be the second Kiwi forward ruled out of the tournament in Europe in October and November after being the victim of a spear tackle.

In May, Wests Tigers skipper Jarrod McCracken was upended by Melbourne's Kiwi second-rower, Stephen Kearney, and has not played since.

The four Canberra players involved in the two tackles on Puletua, David Furner, Andrew McFadden, Jason Croker and Simon Woolford, have each been charged with a dangerous throw.

They will face the NRL judiciary today, and a guilty verdict would see them sit out the Raiders' elimination tie against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

Roosters chief executive Bernie Gurr called for the judiciary to be consistent when they decided the fate of the Canberra quartet. The Roosters were without David Solomona during their upset 8-32 loss to Parramatta last weekend because the New Zealander was completing a two-match ban for a similar offence.

- NZPA