People were taking the piss but I think anyone that has played with a broken nose will know how it affects your play; breathing isn’t quite right, vision can be a bit off depending on the extent of the injury, and even minor touches send your eyes watering. And the dirtier players on the opposition will absolutely “accidentally” throw their hands up toward your face at any opportunity. These days they often require you to wear those face masks to be passed fit to play and they are a huge pain in the arse—I have found your peripheral vision basically zero with them on.
I think he’ll probably play but he’ll likely not be 100%.