Manly coach Trent Barrett has described trying to get Martin Taupau home as a "disaster", and isn't confident of his star front-rower playing against Penrith on Saturday.
Taupau took to social media this week to vent his frustration over a number of flight delays that resulted in the New Zealand star only returning from the United States on Thursday.
Barrett insisted he was an advocate for international rugby league, but said the travel issues only validated the club's concerns about the Test being staged in the middle of the NRL season.
"The main thing for us is our NRL competition," Barrett told reporters on Friday.
"I thought the rep round was a huge success but to play the game over in Denver, it's just too far away and given the complications we've had trying to get Marty home has been a disaster."
Taupau's late arrival gives him just two days to prepare for the Sea Eagles' clash against the Panthers, however Barrett admitted his front-row leader is a big chance of withdrawing.
"I'm not that confident that he will play given the week that he's had," Barrett said.
"It's certainly not ideal given he's one of our best players and at the point we are at with our season this is a must-win for us, we've got to win all our games if we're to make the semis."
Barrett also confirmed the club had gained an exemption to hand hooker Manase Fainu an NRL debut following the release of unwanted utility Jackson Hastings this week.
"He's a junior Kiwi and he's excited about playing out there at Penrith tomorrow. He's certainly a talent so for us to be able to bring him into the side is a bonus," he said.
"We all know how important Api Koroisau was, but Manase we see as a long-term first-grader here. He can play halfback, he can play at the back of the scrum as well."
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