Warriors second-rower Mitch Barnett has been taken to hospital to assess nerve pain in his neck after being subjected to a crusher tackle in the win over the Cowboys.
Barnett left the field in the 55th minute of the 26-12 winafter being hurt in a tackle from Cowboys centre Gehmat Shibasaki, who was placed on report for his part in the incident.
He was initially able to walk off the field following the tackle, but was later shown in a neck brace and on a stretcher before being taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance.
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“There were some concerning scenes,” NRL great Cooper Cronk said on Fox League’s coverage.
“The fact that he walked off is a good sign, but now that he’s been taken to hospital, not so much.”
The incident was one of two major injuries to come out of the drought-breaking result for Andrew Webster’s side, which recorded its first win in Townsville since 2018.
Hooker Wayde Egan was knocked out in a brutal clash with Jason Taumalolo, but Webster said he was “OK and talking fine” in the rooms after the match.
The Warriors No.9 enjoyed a terrific outing before being knocked out, scoring his team’s first try of the match.
However, his night came to end with just over 10 minutes left after attempting to slow down an on-rushing Taumalolo.
The Cowboys star stepped through multiple defenders before Egan stepped up and ducked his head in an attempt to get low for a tackle.
In getting low, Egan ducked straight into the right shoulder of Taumalolo and was sent flying.
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A dazed Egan remained on the turf for several minutes after the hit before being helped off the field by a pair of Warriors trainers, staggering as he walked off.
It was Egan’s second head knock of the match after he was sent for a first half HIA just minutes before the half-time break.
If the knock is deemed a category one head knock, Egan will face a mandatory 11 days on the sidelines before he plays his next match.
Egan was joined by Jazz Tevaga, Marcelo Montoya (2) and Edward Kosi as the try-scorers in a match to remember for the Warriors, with veteran halfback Shaun Johnson pulling the strings to perfection.
There was an electric start to the match, as both teams exchanged tries in a manic 13-minute stretch.
Tries to Tom Chester and Reece Robson gave the Cowboys an early 12-6 lead, but the home side would not score another point for the remainder of the contest.
The Warriors will return home to New Zealand to host the Bulldogs in round four, while the Cowboys will host the Titans in Townsville.
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