New Zealand are likely to be without centre Konrad Hurrell for this year’s Four Nations tournament because of pending wrist surgery.

The blockbusting Warriors back is scheduled to undergo an operation on a fracture that dogged him throughout much of the NRL season.

He almost certainly won’t be available for the Kiwis at the tournament also involving Australia, England and Samoa which begins on October 25.

Tongan-born Hurrell, 23, represented his country of birth at last year’s World Cup but afterwards announced a switch of allegiance to New Zealand.

He enjoyed an improved and powerful NRL season, earning inclusion in Kiwis coach Steven Kearney’s train-on group to begin preparing for the Four Nations.

His absence will leave Penrith Panther Dean Whare and Sydney Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall as the likely first-choice centres in a 24-man Kiwis squad.