It was the live vision that sent the NRL world into a frenzy, Jarome Luai walking into a ruck and appearing to kick Isaiah Papali’I during the grand final on Sunday night.
Eels star Ryan Matterson was so outraged, he accused the NRL of double standards and losing its way by letting Luai off.
“Considering Jarome Luai is kicking players and he didn’t get cited. It makes you think, ‘Where is this game heading?’” said Matterson, who copped a three-match ban for a crusher tackle in the final.
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But fresh footage has revealed the Panthers gun was a mile away from the back-rower, having instead put his right foot between the ground and the Eels forward. It leaves Matterson looking silly.
As a result, Luai took to social media and threw out some crying emoji faces in response to Matterson’s comments.
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