In a huge blow to both the St George Illawarra Dragons and NSW Blues chances this season, a head clash with Russell Packer could see Josh Dugan sidelined for an extended period.
Dugan was forced from the field for a HIA (head injury assessment) after coming off second best in a tussle with New Zealand forward Packer.
But the news got much worse with reports that he may have suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Dugan will go for scans to confirm the extent of the injury but if true, he could be sidelined for up to six weeks.
This would see him certainly miss Game 1 of the 2017 State of Origin series for NSW and he'd have a fight on his hands to prove his form for Game 2.