Willie Tonga heading home from Four Nations with torn pectoral muscle
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THE Kangaroos have suffered their first serious injury of the Four Nations campaign with centre Willie Tonga expected to be sent home with a hip pointer problem and a suspected torn pectoral muscle.
In another show of tremendous courage, Tonga played 50 minutes of Saturday's win over New Zealand with the hip issue before reeling out of a tackle with 15 minutes remaining with the pectoral injury.
Australian coach Tim Sheens confirmed the Queensland Origin centre was expected to be forced home for surgery within the next few days.
"The chances are he's going to have to get sent home to get treated and possibly have some surgery," Sheens said.
With Tonga ruled out of next Sunday morning's (AEDT) double-header against England at Wembley, Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence will most likely move to right centre.
Either Tonga or Lawrence was going to have to make way for the return of Greg Inglis anyway, so the injury just means Sheens will not be forced to drop anyone.
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Australian prop David Shillington has been cleared of a serious left knee injury and has only minor ankle damage.
Shillington was the victim of the Issac Luke cannonball tackle and remains in doubt for the England Test.
"I've had both of my knees reconstructed before so that's why I probably panicked a bit at the time but I'm walking around now and it's just a bit sore," Shillington said.
"Hopefully it pulls up OK over the next couple of days and I should be fine."
Kangaroo utility Cooper Cronk suffered a broken nose but is expected to be available for selection against England.
The Kangaroos travelled from Manchester to London today to begin preparations for the England Test match at Wembley.
In the second game of the Four Nations, England easily accounted for Wales 42-4 at Leigh Sports Village in the north of England.
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http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/willie-tonga-heading-home-from-four-nations-with-torn-pectoral-muscle/story-e6frep5x-1226180624539
