Great Britain coach Brian Noble has apologised to Paul Deacon's parents over the horrific facial injury he suffered during Saturday night's record 38-12

victory over New Zealand.

The lower part of the Bulls scrum half's face was pulped by what appeared to be a Nigel Vagana swinging arm.

Backroom staff at one stage thought the injury was life-threatening after his palate was pushed back onto blood vessels at the back of his throat and they feared he was in danger of swallowing blood.

Deacon was treated in the changing room for two hours by team doctor Chris Brookes and underwent surgery on Sunday to repair two fractures to the central plate of his face.

Noble, who visited the player in hospital, revealed after the game that he had broken a promise he had made to Deacon's mother not to change his looks.

"I met his mum at the hospital and she's forgiven me," he said. "I think his parents understand we play a tough game but it is an issue they should be left alone to deal with."

Deacon - who had scored his first Test try on his 11th appearance - won't play again in the Gillette Tri-Nations but Noble was hopeful he would be fit for the World Club Challenge showdown with Wests Tigers in Huddersfield on February 4.

"We are hopeful it is not going to be as long term as it might have been," said Noble.

"But it is too early to say. It is quite a serious injury. I'd like to publicly thank the medical staff for the job that they did under difficult circumstances."

Vagana - the cousin of Bulls star

Joe - was referred to a disciplinary hearing, to be held in Leeds today, when a video review panel assessed the incident yesterday.

Vagana's defence will centre on the fact that Deacon was already falling to the ground after the tackle of Shontayne Hape when his arm

connected with Deacon's face, and Noble refused to pre-empt the disciplinary process.

"I've certainly looked at the incident on tape and I think we should leave it to the judiciary," he said.

There was better news on Great Britain's other casualties, with full back Paul Wellens, who took a knock to his knee, rated 50/50 to be fit to face Australia in Hull on Saturday and wing Brian Carney expected to recover from a hamstring tweak.

l Sam Burgess of Bradford Bulls has been named in the 20-strong England Academy Under-17 squad to face the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in a two-match international series.

They meet at The Jungle, Castleford on Friday, November 25 (7pm) and at Knowsley Road, St Helens on Wednesday, November 30 (7pm).