Warriors centre Gerard Beale was facing surgery in Sydney after suffering a serious knee injury during his side’s 42-6 NRL loss to Sydney Roosters.

The 29-year-old was taken from the SCG after eight minutes following a collision with Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said he didn’t get a chance to speak with Beale as he was immediately taken to hospital, with initial reports suggesting a fractured kneecap.

“One part went north and the other part went south,” Kearney said.

“So it’s not a nice injury for him.”

Beale was replaced by Kodi Nikorima on the field, but Kearney said it was a major blow to the Warriors.

“That injury threw us out a fair bit,” he said.

Beale, in his second season with the Warriors, also suffered a broken leg during the 2017 World Cup that sidelined him for nearly six months.