Veteran NRL forward Cameron Ciraldo spent the last night of his playing career in hospital after suffering a rare abdominal injury at the Rugby League World Cup.
Ciraldo is likely to require surgery before he can return home from the tournament after he suffered a lacerated pancreas in Italy's 16-0 loss to Tonga in Halifax on Sunday night.
It was Ciraldo's his last game as a professional player, with the 29-year-old to take up a coaching role with his NRL club Penrith next season.
The former Newcastle and Cronulla forward was rushed to hospital by ambulance after complaining of back and stomach problems when he arrived back at the team's Leeds base after Sunday's match.
Italy are out of the tournament and the rest of the squad will fly home on Monday, but team manager Reno Santaguida will remain with Ciraldo in Leeds to ensure he is assisted in his recovery.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, at the tournament as New Zealand assistant coach, will also visit the player in hospital later on Monday while Ciraldo's parents are also in the UK.
Ciraldo overcame a sickening injury earlier in his career to play 94 NRL games.
Playing for the Knights in 2009, he broke his fibula in four places and severely dislocated his ankle but returned the following year.
