Parramatta and Wests Tigers fans can breathe a sigh of relief after Zac Lomax and Jarome Luai escaped suspension for a pair of ugly acts during NSW’s Game 2 loss to Queensland.
Further exacerbating a one-sided penalty count in Perth, Luai was reported midway through the first half for raking at the face of Reuben Cotter off the ball; while just minutes later, Lomax, aggravated by a lingering tackle from Trent Loiero, swung his elbow back and collected the Maroon in the face.
Loiero went off for a HIA but soon returned, while Cotter suffered no ill effects from his tussle with Luai.
The pair were both handed financial sanctions, with Luai hit with a second-grade contrary conduct charge and fined 20 per cent of his match fee, which he can reduce to 13 per cent with an early plea; Lomax, meanwhile, can reduce his 10 per cent charge to seven by accepting the fine which was deemed first-grade dangerous contact.
Luai will be free to play for the Tigers in their clash with the Canberra Raiders on Friday night in Campbelltown, having been named to back up from Origin.
It isn’t the 28-year old’s first run-in with controversy at Origin level, having been sent off late in NSW’s Game 2 – and series-deciding – loss in 2023 for a fight with Reece Walsh.
MORE TO COME
