In a cruel blow Sharks young gun Sione Katoa suffered a broken jaw in the match against the Cowboys last night and will undergo surgery in Townsville today.

Katoa was injured midway through the second half of the Sharks loss to the Cowboys and in showing admirable toughness to initially reject the efforts of Sharks medical staff to take him off, had no choice but to leave the field following a doctor’s assessment.

He was taken straight to a local hospital for x-rays and treatment.

While having limited opportunities on the right wing Katoa showed the wraps on his potential were justified with a solid performance in his NRL debut.

Katoa has remained in Townsville today and will have surgery on his jaw, which has been initially diagnosed to be broken in two places.

Unfortunately he faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines but at just 20 years of age still has a huge future in front of him.

Other that the foot problem which Luke Lewis aggravated in the lead up to the game, the Sharks came through the Cowboys match without any apparent injury concerns