24 Jun 2018

Hand injury mars Faitala-Mariner's test debut

5:04 pm on 24 June 2018

New Zealand's Raymond Faitala-Mariner may have played all but five minutes of his test debut with a broken hand.

Kiwis second-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Kiwis second-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner Photo: Photosport

Kiwis staff are concerned over the injury, which came in New Zealand's 36-18 loss to England at Mile High Stadium in the US city of Denver on Sunday.

NRL clubs fought hard against the match taking place because of the potential for injury.

"Ray's got a sore hand," said Kiwis coach Michael Maguire after the match.

If confirmed, the injury to the Bulldogs forward would be the only one.

Meanwhile, veteran hooker Issac Luke reversed a pre-match suggestion that he may retire from representative football, saying: "I'll put my hand up".

Maguire said he wanted the Warriors No.9 around, although he may not be available for the end-of-season tour of England and France.

The coach nevertheless predicted he would take a strong side on tour, with a number of unavailable stars returning to the fold.

"I'm going to take a lot away from that game," he said.

-AAP