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Cameron Munster accused of biting in stunning NRL Grand Final scenes

The Penrith Panthers have claimed a fourth straight premiership but a shocking moment has stunned the NRL minutes from full-time.

Munster put on report for 'bite'

The Penrith Panthers have won an unprecedented fourth-straight NRL Grand Final but a biting allegation late in the match has sullied a classic decider.

The Panthers downed the minor premier Storm 14-6 in a brutal match.

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But six minutes before full-time, Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster took a charge, with Panthers centre Paul Alamoti tackling him in midfield.

The Penrith back leapt to his feet, pointing to his arm with referee Ashley Klein stopping the play after the first tackle of the next set.

“We’ve got an allegation,” Klein confirmed.

“A biting allegation?” Channel 9 commentator Mat Thompson said.

The captains were called out as the Bunker looked at it, which showed Alamoti’s arm around Munster’s face.

The moment that got everyone's attention.
The moment that got everyone's attention.
The Panthers wanted to point it out.
The Panthers wanted to point it out.

When Alamoti moved his arm away, the Panthers centre reacted, while Munster also put his hand up to his mouth.

Over the microphone, Munster could be heard protesting his innocence and was stunned when he was put on report for the incident.

“There are two arguments,” Andrew Johns said on Channel 9 commentary. “Alamoti shouldn’t have his arm around his face and mouth, but you still can’t bite.

“We saw the Kyle Flanagan incident during the year.

“Some will say he shouldn’t have had his arm there. But it is irrelevant — you can’t bite.”

While Klein put the incident on report, he added: “We can’t be certain, we will deal with it later.”

It meant it was just play on from there.

After the match, Alamoti told Triple M: “I just felt a bite there towards the end.

“I know Munster isn’t that type of player, but rules are rules.”

Munster also maintained his innocence.

“Nothing in it … I can guarantee you I didn’t bite.”

Cam Munster's reaction to the bite call.
Cam Munster's reaction to the bite call.

But it could be something for Munster to worry about with ramifications for both the Pacific Championship and the Storm next season.

Earlier this year, St George Illawarra’s Flanagan was deemed guilty of biting Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.

While Flanagan pleaded his innocence, he was still suspended for four weeks as the NRL sent a “clear message” on the sport’s zero tolerance on biting.

Even after unsuccessfully fighting the charge, Flanagan protested his innocence.

“Disappointed with the result, my focus turns now to the Dragons and how I can help them over the next couple of weeks,” Flanagan said.

“I didn’t bite Stephen Crichton. But I thank them for a fair hearing and my focus is on the Dragons for the next four weeks.”

Originally published as Cameron Munster accused of biting in stunning NRL Grand Final scenes

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/cameron-munster-accused-of-bite-in-stunning-nrl-grand-final-scenes/news-story/0c204ae728ea340d4675fd2477a4ab43