Phoenix Crossland has been brought into New Zealand's squad after Jacob Laban was ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Scans confirmed a lower-leg injury for 22-year-old Laban after he missed training last week.
He made his Kiwis debut against the Cook Islands in the tournament's second round.
Coach Stacey Jones said he was disappointed for Laban, who had enjoyed an outstanding season with the New Zealand Warriors. "It's really disappointing for Jake and for us after the outstanding year he has had," Jones told nzrl.co.nz.
Crossland had been serving a four-match suspension for a hip-drop tackle that injured Nathan Cleary during Newcastle's semi-final against Penrith.
He had been training with the Kiwis and was expected to make the squad before the ban. The Newcastle hooker has played for New Zealand six times since 2024, most recently in the 2025 Pacific Championship grand final win over Toa Samoa.
His return will be his first match in six weeks, and he is set to partner Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King.
New Zealand face Tonga on Saturday at McDonald Stadium in Newcastle, following a 78-0 victory over Fiji.