The Kiwis look set to be without star fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who will undergo surgery for a knee injury that crippled the Warriors' NRL hopes.
The Auckland club said skipper Tuivasa-Sheck is booked in for an operation on Friday on his left knee, which has suffered damage to the medial ligament and the meniscus cartilage.
The 25-year-old was the best performer for the Warriors in 2018 and they never recovered when he hobbled off in the 27th minute of their elimination final loss to Penrith on Saturday.
He is now in serious doubt for New Zealand's Test against Australia in Auckland on October 13 and the subsequent tour of Europe which features three Tests against England and a Test against France.
An injured Tuivasa-Sheck missed the Kiwis' mid-season Test against England, with Panthers fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak wearing the No.1 jumper.
The quick-stepping fullback bounced back to produce his best form with the Warriors in the latter stages of the campaign.
He was named the club's player of the year and is considered one of the front-runners for the Dally M medal as NRL player of the year.
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