New Zealand national team vice-captain Tim Brown's World Cup is in doubt after he suffered a fractured right shoulder in last night's friendly loss to Australia.

The Wellington Phoenix midfielder was felled during the first half of the 2-1 defeat which saw a handful of Australian players make crude challenges on their Trans Tasman neighbours.

Brown will return to Auckland today to have his injury assessed further and if he requires surgery, he will be out of the All Whites' World Cup campaign.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said his fingers were crossed for the 27-year old.

"We're hoping he won't be ruled out. We would fly him to South Africa, that's what I want," Herbert said.

"I'll give him as long as he needs but the problem is if he has surgery it's only three weeks to the opening game."