Jarome Luai has escaped with a fine after coming under scrutiny for a shoulder charge during Penrith’s dominant win over the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.
Penrith put on another clinic to beat the Storm 26-6 to move a game clear of the Broncos on top of the ladder midway through Round 23 in an emphatic statement the two-time defending premiers are ready to three-peat.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
But as Penrith’s premiership winning machine reaches top gear, Luai risked a stint on the sidelines after being put on report for a high shot on Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the 47th minute.
Replays showed Luai leaping off the round and his right shoulder making contact with Asofa-Solomona’s head.
Referee Adam Gee told Luai about the incident a few plays later. Gee had a busy night, sending off Storm trainer Ryan Hinchcliffe, much to the delight of fans.
But Luai could breathe a sigh of relief when the NRL judiciary report on Saturday stated he could escape with a $3000 fine with an early guilty plea for the Grade 1 charge.
“Luai on report for high contact on Nelson,” said Gee, who didn’t send Luai to the sin bin.
“The touch judge was signalling to the referee,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said before the replay came up.
“Oh hello Jarome. Was the contact to the head and was it nothing but shoulder and no other arm?
“That is something that is going to be discussed after the game I am sure.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said post-game Luai was like a “little fly” going up against Asofa-Solomona.
“I’ve only seen the one angle. I’m not too sure. It’s a little fly against a big giant. I dunno. We’ll just wait and see,” Cleary said.
Luai was involved in another incident, claiming he was “stepped on the head” during a melee after he tackled Marion Seve into touch in the second half
“I got stepped on the head,” Luai told Gee.
Penrith’s Scott Sorenson told his fired up teammate: “Oi oi relax.”
Gee said: “It’s your ball. Don’t run the risk of anything else.”
Luai replied: “Yeah oath it’s our ball.”
Originally published as Jarome Luai escapes ban for shoulder charge, claims he was ‘stepped on the head’
