Api Koroisau ‘broken jaw’ answers Origin conundrum in most brutal way

State of Origin game one in Adelaide may have been cursed as yet another player suffered a long-term injury blow in ugly scenes.

Koroisau immediately left the field. Photo: Fox Sports

Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau has suffered a broken jaw, leaving his Origin hopes in tatters and facing a long stint on the sidelines.

It was a horror night for the Tigers as the Titans snapped a three-game losing streak in a 28-12 win but it was completely overshadowed by injuries to Koroisau and Wests halfback Luke Brooks.

Brooks limped off the field with a hamstring injury late in the game but Koroisau’s injury had the bigger impact.

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It was in the 15th minute when Koroisau tried to tackle Gold Coast Titans and Queensland enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Michael Ennis said it looked similar to an incident involving Fa’asuamaleaui last month which appeared to show the big man raise his forearm in the contact.

Koroisau left the field immediately, giving a thumbs up to fans but looking worse for wear.

Corey Parker said there were concerns that Koroisau immediately left the field.

“Obviously plenty of concern down here on the bench for the Tigers as Api left the field,” Parker said on Fox League.

“He made a B-line for the bench after that contact from Tino, there was blood visible around the mouth.

Later, Parker said he had spoken to Koroisau who confirmed he had a broken jaw.

The brutal injury blow will likely mean Souths hooker Damien Cook will firm into unbackable favouritism to regain his NSW Blues No. 9 jersey.

Koroisau immediately left the field. Photo: Fox Sports

The contact has ended Koroisau's Origin campaign. Photo: Fox Sports

Warren Smith added: “You can’t fault Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, he had the bumpers up and bounced away from Koroisau. It looked okay.”

Fa’asuamaleaui was later put on report.

But at halftime, Blues adviser Greg Alexander was as dejected as Koroisau.

“Massive blow for the Tigers and NSW,” he said. “For the Tigers for the next six to eight weeks and that would mean the (Origin) series is gone for Api as well.

“I don’t know how much trouble Tino is in watching that. I thought Tino’s bump on Reed Mahoney a couple of weeks ago was probably worse than that one.

“Unfortunately Api’s just got himself in the wrong position.”

Cooper Cronk said it was “devastating” news for Koroisau but added the vertical forearms may save Fa’asuamaleaui.

Sharks star Wade Graham added he didn’t think there was much in the contact.

The Mahoney hit a few weeks ago resulted in a fine for Fa’asuamaleaui.

The incident overshadowed a strong performance from the Titans who opened a 16-6 lead over the Tigers at halftime.

It didn’t get any better for the Tigers with 20 minutes left in the game when Brooks left the field with his hamstring injury.