Andrew Johns and potentially the entire rugby league world were left cringing on Thursday night when Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe suffered a broken nose.
In the early stages of the upset 44-8 win against the Bulldogs, the young hooker was involved in a head clash with opposition halfback.
Play was stopped to allow Donoghoe to receive treatment from the trainer as Johns reacted from the Nine commentary booth.
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“There’s a head clash here, look at Donoghoe – his nose is bent, this could be his night over,” the rugby league Immortal said.
Kurt Donoghoe suffered a broken nose Nine
“That nose isn’t broken, it’s been shattered. Surely he can’t go on here, he’s in all sorts.
“You’ve got to take it out of their hands, they will all play on. It’s such a tough game.”
The 23-year-old eventually budged and left the field in pain, but in an incredible turn of events, passed his head injury assessment and got his nose fixed in order to return.
“I can’t believe he’s come back on,” Johns said.
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After the game, Donoghoe admitted he was “out of it” when the incident first occurred.
“It was sideways, but they got it back in thank God,” he said.
“I was a bit out of it … it was gone.”
The tough Fijian international scored the final try for the Phins to cap off a bizarre night.
Donoghoe wasn’t the only player to be forced off for a HIA early in the game, with Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton deemed as showing category two symptoms.
There were initial concerns for Burton’s jaw, but medical staff seemingly cleared him of injury and allowed him to stay on the field before the independent doctor intervened.
