Cronulla Sharks forward Andrew Fifita is in an induced coma after sustaining a throat injury in his side’s defeat to Newcastle Knights on Sunday.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the 32-year-old has been placed in an induced coma after being rushed to hospital at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Fifita is reportedly in a stable condition but has been placed in the induced coma to assist with breathing due to severe swelling of his larynx.
The Tonga and former Australia international is expected to need surgery, which will almost certainly end his 2021 season.
On Sunday, Fifita lasted just 13 minutes, suffering an injury after making contact with Kurt Mann’s shoulder late in the first half.
He was assessed for a Head Injury Assessment, which he cleared and then subsequently returned to the field but was taken off minutes later and did not return.
The Sharks are currently in 10th place in the NRL standings and will meet the Wests Tigers at 5pm Saturday.
[Source: Newshub.co.nz]