South Sydney Rabbitohs could be the biggest losers from yesterday's Anzac Test match, with Greg Inglis, the star centre, facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after playing just 18 minutes of Australia's 20-10 win over New Zealand.
The former World Player of the Year had to leave the field after injuring his hip - the same hip on which he had surgery during the off-season.
With Souths having already lost Sam Burgess, the England forward, for the season, John Lang, the under-fire coach, could do without any more injuries. Tim Sheens, the Australian coach, concedes Inglis's injury could cause the Rabbitohs some problems.
"He's hurt the hip that he had surgery on in the summer, I'm not sure how bad it is but he couldn't continue," he said.
"I'd imagine that's not going to be comfortable for him or for Souths for that matter."
Australia's doctor Paul Annett said that Inglis will need an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury.
Two tries from the full-back Billy Slater proved to be the difference for Australia, who were 10-6 ahead midway through the second half when New Zealand fell apart.
They coughed up the ball five times in quick succession, allowing Slater and the debutant Jamal Idris to secure the victory.
"All the tries were on the back of errors coming out of trouble for us which was a disappointing thing," the coach Stephen Kearney said.
"I know the group are very disappointed with the result. It seems a bit same old, same old. But I know we're taking steps in the right direction."
