Rebels wing Cooper Vuna could miss the entire Super Rugby season after he suffered a suspected shoulder fracture in the recent loss to the Waratahs.
The Wallabies speedster was forced off the field in the 18th minute of Saturday's 24-16 pre-season loss at North Hobart Oval holding his shoulder.
The injury was initially thought to be just a "stinger" but a Rebels official revealed that they will investigate whether it was a break.
Rebels assistant coach John Muggleton said that the two doctors that were traveling with the side would assess Vuna before deciding whether he needed X-rays.
"It's a bit of a funny one," Muggleton told AAP.
"We're not sure what's wrong."
"He's sore behind the shoulder in the scapula area so obviously we'll just wait and see how it settles down and the doctors will make a decision on that."
The Rebels received a boost - ahead of their season opener against the Western Force in Melbourne on February 15 - when James O'Connor made it through the clash with the Waratahs unscathed after an injury-plagued 2012 season.
"The last three or four times he's played he's been injured so for him to get through that ... was good for his mental approach," said Muggleton of O'Connor.
The Rebels have another warm up match next weekend against the Hurricanes in Geelong and Wallabies stalwart Kurtley Beale is expected to play.
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