Phoenix Crossland could return for New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga after serving a four-game suspension.
The hooker was banned for the tackle that broke Nathan Cleary's leg in Newcastle's NRL preliminary final victory over Penrith.
The suspension ruled Crossland out of the NRL grand final and New Zealand's three pool matches, though he remained in Stacey Jones' World Cup squad.
New Zealand can now call on him after forward Jacob Laban was ruled out of the tournament with a lower-leg injury.
"It's really disappointing for Jake and for us after the outstanding year he has had," Jones said.
Crossland was New Zealand's first-choice hooker at last year's Pacific Championships and could start ahead of Jeremy Marshall-King, or provide cover at hooker, in the halves and in the back row.
The replacement has prompted criticism from fans, some of whom argue squads should not be changed after the pool stage, particularly when the substitute plays a different position.
Others have questioned the timing of Laban's injury. One fan wrote: "Funny that, injured just as Crossland finished his suspension."
Another commented: "Conveniently Laban is injured." A third said: "Injury to Laban, sure sure."
One supporter argued Crossland should not have been eligible for the tournament after his tackle on Cleary: "Pretty unfair that he breaks arguably one of the greats leg and possibly could have ended his career and he gets the privilege to play for his country should be out for as long as Nathan is out."