Australian rugby star Andrew Fifita has been placed in an induced coma in a Brisbane hospital after suffering a “significant” injury to his throat during Sunday’s match.

Just a week after AFL star Patrick Dangerfield was rushed to hospital for his throat injury when struck by an errant Toby Greene elbow, Fifita remains in intensive care with severe swelling of the larynx.

About 20 minutes after Sunday’s game ended a distressed Fifita was brought out of the dressing sheds and onto the field.

Paramedics rushed to the former NSW, Australia and Tonga representative’s side as he struggled to breathe and swallow after copping a blow to the throat early in the second half of the loss to Newcastle.

The 2016 premiership hero suffered a “significant laryngeal injury”, prompting doctors to sedate him.

The club has since confirmed the Cronulla forward is in a stable condition after being rushed to hospital shortly after his side’s loss.

Fifita has the support of his wife Nikki in hospital.

The 32-year-old played just 13 minutes of the game, coming off in the 39th minute for a head injury assessment after colliding with Kurt Mann’s shoulder while taking a hit-up.

He was cleared of a concussion in the sheds at halftime, but was taken off the field again in the 46th minute and did not return to the game.

A collision with Newcastle’s Tyson Frizell shortly before Fifita left the field may have could have caused the injury.

While running the ball the Knights second-rower put his palm out to fend off Fifita, contacting him in the neck.

However, the Sharks remain unsure of how the injury occurred.

Should he undergo surgery it will end his season after playing just six games for the Sharks in 2021.

Former Australia, Tonga and NSW prop Fifita is signed with Cronulla until the end of 2022.