Toni Pulu's hopes of playing for Australia at the Rugby World Cup have suffered a major blow with the winger expected to have surgery on Monday to repair a fractured cheekbone he sustained following a head clash in his ACT Brumbies debut.

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Australia Captain's Run - Twickenham Stadium, London, Britain - November 23, 2018 Australia's David Pocock during the captain's run Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo