On report! Bitter Origin foes in heated clash as Luai’s Blues spot at risk over late hit

Jarome Luai was placed on report for a late hit on Jahrome Hughes as tempers flared in the top of the table clash on Friday.

Jarome Luai and Harry Grant clash.

Jarome Luai has been placed on report for a late hit on Jahrome Hughes as tempers flared in the top of the table clash between Penrith and Melbourne.

The Panthers playmaker attempted to make a tackle on Hughes as the Storm half put in a kick but was ruled to be late.

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Storm teammate Harry Grant took exception to the contact with the State of Origin foes clashing and having to be separated by teammates.

Luai was then placed on report meaning his participation in Game Three in Sydney could be under threat.

The polarising playmaker was already under pressure to retain his place in the NSW side with reports Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker are in line to replace him.

The decision to place Luai on report was met with confusion from the Fox League panel.

“I’m not sure there’s much wrong with that tackle,” Dan Ginnane said.

“It’s almost perfectly timed from Jarome Luai.

“But there’s plenty of feeling in this game.”

Jarome Luai and Harry Grant getting into it real early here! 👀

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Not a Luai fan, but what was wrong with the tackle on Hughes? #NRLStormPanthers#crisis

— Greg Prichard (@gregprichard) June 30, 2023

The questionable decision to place Luai on report came after The Bunker dished up an almighty howler early in the game.

The Storm opened up a 14-0 lead over the Panthers after 25 minutes when hulking second rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona bounced over the line.

However there were plenty of questions as even Asofa-Solomona didn’t look at all confident he’d scored.

There were two issues — he had landed and seemingly made a second movement despite Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards holding on, and the tackle over the top from Sunia Turuva appeared to knock the ball out.

In commentary for Fox Sports, Michael Ennis said: “I’m not sure he has control anyway.

“I think this might get taken off him.”

Dan Ginnane agreed and said Asofa-Solomona “was not entitled to promote the ball, you would think”.

The Bunker had a shocker. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

When referee Adam Gee sent it upstairs, bunker official Gerard Sutton ignored a potential double movement and claimed Asofa-Solomona regripped the ball before it touched the ground.

’Wow,” Ginnane said as the try sign went off. “I even think Nelson’s surprised by that.”

Ennis added: “Boy that’s … bit of luck going to Melbourne there.”

Ginnane: “You want to say it Mick, that’s not a try.”

Ennis: “No, I’m certain that’s not a try.”

Ginnane said it shows the Bunker is more lenient in 2023.

At halftime, Greg Alexander said: “I think Nelson himself was the red flag, I think he realised he didn’t score.

“Very quickly you saw his face change because I thought Nelson dropped the ball. Gerard Sutton said he lost the ball with his right but still controlled the ball with his left.

“I could watch that 1000 times and not come up with that. The ball comes free of his hands — am I seeing things?”

Originally published as On report! Bitter Origin foes in heated clash as Luai’s Blues spot at risk over late hit