Horrifying update: NRL star Andrew Fifita in induced coma

Sharks star Andrew Fifita has been placed in an induced coma as he continues to struggle to breathe following a scary on-field incident.

Andrew Fifita surrounded by medical staff. AAP Image, Darren England.

Sharks star Andrew Fifita is reportedly in an induced coma after being rushed to hospital in an ambulance on Sunday night.

The club earlier confirmed the former NSW State of Origin star suffered a serious throat injury during his team’s loss to Newcastle on Sunday.

The 32-year-old had a heavy collision with Knights star Tyson Frizell early in the second half, but it remains unclear if that is the contact that caused the injury.

The club has confirmed via a statement that Fifita suffered a “significant” laryngeal injury.

According to reports he experienced breathing difficulties and was treated by paramedics at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe after first being taken into the Cronulla dressing room to receive treatment from the club’s medical team.

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He was spotted near the fence of the field behind the goal posts being looked at by paramedics 20 minutes after the game, according to AAP.

After being assessed by paramedics, Fifita was rushed to hospital.

The club has confirmed Fifita’s wife Nikki has travelled to be by his bedside in hospital.

Reports now claim Fifita’s condition has developed further, revealing he has been placed into an induced coma to assist with his breathing.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports severe swelling of the larynx prompted a decision to put him into an induced coma.

He remains in a stable condition inside the Royal Brisbane Hospital’s intensive care unit.

He is expected to have surgery and will reportedly be brought out of the coma as early as Monday night.

The Sharks’ earlier statement said: “The Sharks can confirm that Andrew Fifita suffered an injury to his throat, following an incident early in the second half of today’s match against Newcastle.

“After the match Andrew reported difficulty swallowing. He was also noted to have a hoarse voice at this time and his care was escalated to the paramedics with a suspected laryngeal injury.

“He was taken via ambulance to hospital, where a significant laryngeal injury was confirmed.

“Andrew remains in hospital, where he is receiving the best possible care. The Sharks will provide further updates when they become available.”

Andrew Fifita (on ground) of the Sharks is seen surrounded by medical staff on the field. AAP injury.

Fifita earlier also needed to be medically assessed for a tackle in the first half which left him needing to be taken from the field to undergo a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

He was able to return to the field in the second half before he was taken from the field again having played just 13 minutes.

Andrew’s brother posted on Twitter: “On behalf of the Fifita family, I would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and kind words during this difficult time that we face.

“As a family we ask everyone to please respect our privacy and allow Andrew and the family space to heal and recover.

“In saying this, I would like to thank the Cronulla Sharks and the NRL for helping support our family in Queensland through this time.”

The Sharks released a statement on Monday evening: “Andrew is in a stable condition, with a surgical correction scheduled to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.

“He is receiving the best possible care and all going well, it is expected he will recover in hospital for an extended period.

“Andrew‘s wife Nikki and the Fifita family have expressed their appreciation to all who have sent messages of support and offered well wishes.

“The Sharks will provide further updates when more information comes to hand.”

Andrew Fifita.

The league’s match review committee has been given extra time to examine footage from the game between the Knights and Sharks in order to ascertain whether Fifita‘s injury was caused by an act of foul play.

On Monday, the NRL judiciary delayed the release of its charges from Sunday‘s games, however, the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said this was not due to Fifita’s injury.

Rather, he said that because Sunday’s fixtures had taken place at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe, which is a “non-standard NRL venue”, the match review committee did not receive the game footage as promptly as usual.

At his weekly briefing on Monday, Annesley said he was unsure whether an act of foul play had led to Fifita’s injury.

“I simply don’t know the answer to that,” he said.

“Firstly, I’d like to say that I’m sure everyone is concerned about Andrew’s injury and we wish him nothing but a speedy recovery. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment further than that.

“No one wants to see an injury take place. I don’t think there’s any suggestion of foul play at this point but the match review committee have got an obligation to look at all incidents in games to the best of their ability to determine whether incidents are clear or not.”

The match review committee has until Tuesday to re-examine the footage.

- with Jasper Bruce, NCA NewsWire