‘Disgusting’: NRL world up in arms as Jarome Luai escapes ban for suspected ‘eye gouge’

Jarome Luai has come under heavy fire for an ugly act in the first half of State of Origin 2 that fans feel wasn’t appropriately punished.

NSW star Jarome Luai has come under fire for a suspected eye gouge on Queensland enforcer Reuben Cotter in State of Origin Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Midway through the first half, Luai put his hands all over the face of the Maroons back-rower, with his fingers appearing to rake across his eyes.

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The act landed the Blues playmaker on report but no further action was taken.

The Channel 9 commentary team also breezed past it. But those watching on at home were up in arms, questioning how Luai wasn’t at least sin-binned as they called out the nasty act.

“Disgusting eye gouge from Jarome Luai. No place in the game for that. Commentators should be calling that out instead of going silent,” one fan commented on X.

“So none of the commentators are gonna mention the blatant eye gouge by Luai?” asked another.

You can watch the suspected Jarome Luai eye gouge in the player above.

Jarome Luai has been called out for a suspected eye gouge. Image: Nine/Getty

“Well, Luai won’t be playing for the Wests Tigers for a few weeks. That’s our season done,” a Tigers fan wrote, hinting at the likely long ban the half could receive if it was found to be an eye gouge.

While a fourth added: “I’m absolutely shocked that Luai didn’t get 10 for the blatant eye gouge. Gobsmacked.”

However, Luai actually won’t miss a single game for the incident, with the NRL judicary handing him a grade two contrary conduct charge which carries a fine of just 13 per cent of his match fee, which equates to just $3,900.

And fans can’t believe it.

“That’s a joke,” one fan said in relation to Luai’s punishment.

While another added: “So has Luai got away with eye gouging with a fine? Wow.”

The 28-year-old’s act wasn’t the only incident to be called out by Maroons fans either, with Blues winger Zac Lomax placed on report shortly after Luai for lashing out with his elbow after a tackle from Trent Loiero.

“On report. You lashed out and hit him in the head,” referee Ashley Klein was heard saying.

Safe to say the Blues’ extra aggression drew the ire of fans, particularly those wearing Maroon.

“Can someone explain why Lomax doesn’t go to the bin for elbowing Loiero in the face?” one fan wrote.

“That is terrible. Luai eye gouge and then that from Lomax. I thought Queensland was the team meant to be feeling the pressure,” another added.

“Absolutely shocking from Lomax,” a third said.

Originally published as ‘Disgusting’: NRL world up in arms as Jarome Luai escapes ban for suspected ‘eye gouge’