Penrith and New Zealand were rocked by news that second-rower Tony Puletua will undergo season-ending chest surgery on Thursday.

The Kiwis have been decimated following a series of injuries to their forward pack, with teenage star Sonny Bill Williams (ankle and mumps), Puletua and his Panthers teammate Joe Galuvao (groin) unavailable for the Anzac Test against Australia in Brisbane on Friday week.

Back-rower Monty Betham and hooker Tevita Latu are in trouble with the NRL judiciary and could be suspended for the Test at Suncorp Stadium.

A scan revealed Puletua had suffered a tear to a pectoral muscle during Penrith's 36-16 win over Melbourne on Friday night.

"Tony will need an operation and the worst case scenario is that he could be out for six months," Panthers general manager Mick Leary said.

Galuvao has a groin tear which will sideline him for up to four weeks.

"I won't need surgery - just rest, therapy and ice-packs," Galuvao said before training.

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