Kalyn Ponga has revealed he couldn't stomach looking at nib Newcastle Knights teammate Mitchell Pearce after the halfback was split open during the game last week.
The captain took a knock on the forehead which burst a blood vestal and Ponga admits the sight of Pearce's head made him squeamish.
"It was disgusting," Ponga told Hit 106.9 Breakfast show Nick, Jess and Simon.
"I don't know why but I couldn't look at him after the incident.
"If I looked at him, I'd feel sick, so I had to pretend he wasn't there.
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"He's looking better now ... tough guy."
Ponga had his own issues during last week's loss.
The No.1 picked up an ankle issue in preparation for the game.
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While he completed the match, it did take a few days for the injury to settle down.
"It pulled up really sore after the game," Ponga said.
"Today it's feeling better but the last two days, I've been in pain, so I've been a bit cranky."
While Ponga will take the field at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday, not all his teammates will.
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Nathan Ross will miss the clash against the Wests Tigers due to a pelvis issue.
It's an injury which forced the centre out a few weeks back and it's flared up again.
"It's been an injury he's been carrying," Ponga said of Ross.
"It's an injury which restricts him from playing at his best.
"He wants to play his best for the team. I think he knows if he has a few weeks off, has a break, gets it right, he'll be sweet."
