WITH just six minutes gone in the Rabbitohs clash with the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, young-gun centre Hymel Hunt was in trouble.

The 22-year-old came to the side of the field clutching his right shoulder after an attempted try-saving tackle. After a quick examination from a Rabbitohs trainer, Hunt was rushed off the field and headed straight up the tunnel.

Initial reports indicated that the centre had subluxed his shoulder — an injury that would usually carry a recovery time of no more than 4-6 weeks.

However when Channel Nine cameras ventured inside the South Sydney dressing room, it quickly became apparent that something far more serious had occurred.

Footage captured Hunt visibly sobbing, before being consoled by a member of the Rabbitohs medical staff.

Brad Fitler later told Channel Nine the youngster had torn a pectoral muscle.

“Hymel Hunt has just gone back into the sheds. Tragic news for the young centre, he’s done a pec, just like John Sutton,” Fitler said.

The injury is likely to put Hunt out of action for the remainder of the season, putting a massive dampener on what would have been his break-through season with the Redfern-based club.

Looks like Hymel Hunt is gone for the season with a possible pectoral tear. #NRLFantasy — Renegades#NRLFantasy (@RenegadesFSL) April 22, 2016

Hymel Hunt looks like he's distraught in the sheds. Dare say he won't be back tonight.... maybe for a good while, maybe the season. — Phil Lutton (@phillutton78) April 22, 2016

Awful scenes in the sheds from Hymel Hunt. Like Chase Stanley a few weeks ago, in tears 😓#NRLBroncosSouths ➡️ https://t.co/4ru3VRDo5L — League Unlimited NRL (@LeagueUnlimited) April 22, 2016

Absolutely gutted for Hymel Hunt if that's his season 😔😔 #NRLBroncosSouths #GoRabbitohs — Scotty Lee (@ScottLee80) April 22, 2016

So devastated for Hymel Hunt. Been one of our best this season. Prayers and thoughts to him for a speedy recovery! — Nicole (@nicolee_hanna) April 22, 2016

Cousin of Queensland Reds and former Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael, Hunt has played every game of this NRL season, scoring a try on debut against the Sydney Roosters in round one.

Hunt previously held contracts with the Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm, but had only managed four NRL appearances since 2013, before signing with the Rabbitohs on a one-year-deal at the end of the 2015 season.

The Broncos also suffered a major injury setback with the loss of Andrew McCullough. The hooker looked to hyperextend his left knee during a gruesome Tom Burgess tackle.

"He's hyper-extended there." - Gould on McCullough as he leaves the field. #NRLBroncosSouths #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/SHAD3tCJ0v — Wide World of Sports (@wwos) April 22, 2016

“Andrew McCullough — a lot more severe than just a hyper extension we think. So they are just waiting on reports for that,” Brad Fitler told Channel Nine.

The loss of McCullough soured Brisbane’s spiteful 30-8 win over South Sydney in front of a 40,275-strong Friday night crowd.

Ladder leaders Brisbane notched their fifth straight win but not all went to plan with McCullough suffering knee ligament damage in a 24th-minute Tom Burgess tackle.

There may be more headaches for Broncos coach Wayne Bennett too, with Joe Ofahengaue and Adam Blair reported for high tackles within a minute of each other in a fiery second half.

South Sydney may have slumped to their fifth loss in six games but showed some overdue fight after appearing down and out trailing 14-0 at half-time.

Sam Burgess threw his weight around after the break before the Greg Inglis of old finally emerged for the Rabbitohs.

Inglis stepped Jack Reed to score in the 52nd minute, ending 223 minutes in which Brisbane had kept opponents scoreless.

The Broncos had hoped to become the first team since Easts in 1919 to win three straight games to nil.

After Souths cut the deficit to 14-8, it seemed only something special was going to break the ice in an absorbing second half battle — and Queensland hopeful Corey Oates provided in the 63rd minute.

A mid-air Oates scored after doing his best Superman impersonation, planting the ball while somehow avoiding the sideline in a remarkable diving effort.

That opened the floodgates.

Jordan Kahu (70th minute) pounced on a Ben Hunt kick before captain Corey Parker (73rd) scored in his 331st game, making him the longest-serving forward in the NRL.

Ofahengaue was placed on report for a shoulder charge on Paul Carter (55th minute) and Blair was booked for a high shot on Adam Reynolds a minute later.

Reynolds left the field, appearing to have injured his recently healed jaw but later returned.

Carter also came back on after treatment.

— with Laine Clark, AAP