WELLINGTON, Oct 9, 2008 (AFP) - New Zealand have been forced to make two changes to their rugby league World Cup squad after the loss of fullback Brent Webb and prop Jeff Lima through injury.

St George Illawarra winger-fullback Jason Nightingale and New Zealand Warriors front rower Evarn Tuimavave have been brought into the squad as replacements.

The announcement by the New Zealand Rugby League Thursday comes just two days after the 24-man squad was named for the World Cup starting in Australia on October 25.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington advised the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) late Tuesday that Webb would be having surgery for the back injury that sidelined him for the English Super League grand final win over St Helens at the weekend.

Hetherington said Webb's recovery from surgery would likely keep him out of action for six months.

Lima, who played three Tests last year, has a knee injury that is worse than first thought.

However, Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said Nightingale and Tuimavave were quality replacements.

'Jason and Evarn were very unlucky to miss out in the first place,' Kearney said.

'They've had very good seasons in the NRL, both of them playing in the finals and Evarn being part of a Warriors team that finished the year outstandingly.'