Australian rugby league officials are yet to decide whether they will apply to have injured back-rower Luke Lewis replaced for the rest of the World Cup.
Lewis’ tournament ended after he dislocated his shoulder when colliding with an advertising sign in Australia’s 34-2 win over Fiji in St Helens on Saturday.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens had signalled his interested in calling on a replacement player, however Australia were on Sunday still weighing up the value of doing so.
With only one pool game remaining, against Ireland in Limerick on Saturday, it’s possible a replacement player could play only a single match, if they arrived in time for this week’s match.
There is also no guarantee the Kangaroos would be able to replace Lewis.
Under World Cup rules, an injury would generally not allow a country to call up a new player but Australia believe the special circumstances of Lewis’ injury may allow for special dispensation.
Lewis had scans on Sunday morning before travelling with his Kangaroos teammates to Dublin.
The result of the scans, and the wishes of Lewis’ NRL club Cronulla, will determine whether he returns home next week or if he stays on for the rest of the tournament to play a supporting role within the squad.