8 Oct 2011

Kiwis lose Vatuvei, Matai and Johnson

11:56 am on 8 October 2011

The Kiwis have lost three players to injury ahead of next weekend's one-off rugby league Test against Australia.

Winger Manu Vatuvei, centre Steve Matai and halfback Shaun Johnson who all played in the NRL grand final last weekend are out.

The New Zealand team doctor Simon Mayhew says Vatuvei has battled with knee and wrist problems throughout the season and may require surgery.

Matai has a history of shoulder and neck complaints which flared up again during Manly's grand final win and Manly medical staff say he may also need surgery.

Shaun Johnson has a back injury which led to him only coming into the Warriors lineup in June and Mayhew says he simply needs to fully recover.

The trio's withdrawal has meant callups for NRL grand finalists Krisnan Inu and Elijah Taylor plus North Queensland winger Kalifa Faifai Loa.