Jack Bird's Origin hopes have suffered a huge blow after the Broncos centre limped off Suncorp Stadium in extreme discomfort with reports he has suffered a suspected ACL injury.
Bird broke four tackles in a barging run up the field until he was dragged down by Toafofoa Sipley, who had his own run of bad injury luck, where his knee jarred under the weight on the Manly prop.
He bravely tried to get up and continue play, screaming and shouting as he perhaps realised the seriousness of the injury.
Brisbane's medical team attempted to treat him in the back-field but his inability to put weight on the leg forced them to pull the pin and assess him in the sheds.
Bird played just eight games in his first season in Brisbane colours, having season-ending surgery on his sternum.
Initial concern from Broncos medical staff is L ACL injury for Jack Bird, video also shows concern for ACL/MCL injury as tackler lands on lower leg causing knee to collapse in. Significant concern as hands on test for ACL highly accurate, fingers crossed for Bird #NRLMagicRound pic.twitter.com/YYYWf7o7fO
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 10, 2019
After teammate James Roberts was sensationally dropped to reserve grade during the week, Phil Gould touted Jack Bird to resurrect his Origin career at right centre as one of the few in-form centres on NSW's books.
Blues coach Brad Fittler has already lost Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury and Bird's injury is a double-blow to his outside backs stocks.
Meanwhile, Sipley was stretchered off the field less than a few minutes later with a suspected broken leg.
MORE TO COME...
