Warriors forward Mitch Barnett hospitalised over ’unintentional’ act

A New Zealand Warriors star is in hospital in Townsville after an ugly act saw him taken from the stadium on a stretcher and in a neck brace.

Barnett was in a bad way. Photo: Fox Sports

The New Zealand Warriors’ 26-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys has been soured after second rower Mitch Barnett was taken to hospital after an “unintentional” crusher tackle.

The Warriors were leading 22-12 in the 55th minute when the incident happened.

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North Queensland centre Gehamat Shibasaki was part of a three-man tackle on Barnett when he fell on top of the Warriors forward’s head.

While the commentators initially only saw Barnett clutching at his throat and shoulder on the ground, upon replay, the commentators realised what had happened after Shibasaki tripped over his teammate’s legs.

Andrew Voss said: “He’s distressed Mitch Barnett.”

Greg Alexander said the incident was “unintentional” but the Cowboys back was placed on report.

The ugly tackle. Photo: Fox Sports

Barnett walked off the field. Photo: Fox League

The Warriors second rower was in clear discomfort but walked off the field, clutching at his left shoulder.

But behind the scenes, Barnett was not in a good way.

The Warrior was taken to Townsville Hospital with nerve pain in his neck.

“There were some concerning scenes as we could see Mitch Barnett in a stretcher and in a neck brace,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.

“So the fact that he walked off was a good sign but now he’s been taken to hospital, not so much.”

It soured what had been a famous Warriors win after the side snapped a nearly year-long 13-game losing streak in Australia with the 14-point win.

“That IS the Warriors best performance in Australia in a long, long time,” Cronk said on Fox League.

Barnett was taken to hospital in a neck brace. Photo: Fox Sports

But the Cowboys have played yet another perplexing performance, shooting out to a 12-6 lead in the 14th minute before falling off the pace as New Zealand romped to the victory.

“Their attack has gotten worse the longer the game has gone,” Voss said on Fox League.

“There is something wrong with the Cowboys at the moment, they’ve made great starts in their first three matches and only won one of them,” Alexander responded.

Despite making the 2022 semi-finals, the Cowboys join the likes of the Rabbitohs and the Storm at 1-2 for the season, while the Eels at 0-3 add to a perplexing opening three rounds for last years’ semi-finalists.

Originally published as Warriors forward Mitch Barnett hospitalised over ’unintentional’ act