New Zealand will be without Phoenix Crossland for its first three World Cup pool matches after the Newcastle hooker received a four-game suspension.
The ban follows his guilty plea over a hip-drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary's leg, and rules Crossland out of Sunday's NRL grand final against the Roosters.
Crossland had been named at hooker, but Harrison Graham is expected to take his place in just his third start this season.
At Tuesday night's 85-minute judiciary hearing, Crossland said he had phoned Cleary and his father, Ivan, to apologise.
"It was a tough phone call and I just wanted to reach out and apologise," Crossland said at Tuesday's hearing.
"He was such a gentleman and told me not to worry and to stop saying sorry because these things just happen. He is a class act."
Cleary underwent emergency surgery at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital on Sunday night, and the procedure was understood to have succeeded.
Crossland said he was sorry the incident had overshadowed the grand final week and injured one of his favourite players.
"Apologies to everyone involved in the game. I hope after tonight we can get back to the football," he said choking back tears after the tribunal hearing.
Newcastle's legal team sought a suspension of no more than three games, citing Crossland's guilty plea and remorse.
NRL counsel Patrick Knowles SC said mitigating factors were considered, but the four-game penalty followed the precedent of Dragons forward Ryan Couchman's ban for a hip-drop tackle that ended Eels player J'maine Hopgood's season.
Crossland will also miss New Zealand's pool matches against Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji, but could return for the knockout rounds if the team advances.