Cameron Munster has been sensationally cleared of biting Penrith’s Paul Alamoti in the NRL grand final.
Alamoti accused the Melbourne five-eighth in the final 10 minutes of the Panthers’ 14-6 win on Sunday, with referee Ashley Klein putting Munster on report.
The Melbourne five-eighth was tackled by Alamoti as he attempted to lead his team upfield and the Penrith centre’s arm came across Munster’s face.
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Replays were unclear if Munster bit down on Alamoti’s arm, and Klein initially let play continue before halting the game to address the issue.
“It can’t be certain, it’s on report,” Klein said.
“They (the match review committee) will deal with it later … I just saw saliva.”
On the field, Munster was insistent he did not bite Alamoti and told reporters after the match “there was nothing in it”.
The NRL on Monday morning announced there were no charges from the grand final, with Alamoti opting not to pursue the matter and the match review committee finding no conclusive evidence to lay a charge.
Munster faced a significant ban, with St George Illawarra’s Kyle Flanagan having received a five-match ban for biting earlier this season.
Alamoti declined to expand on his on-field claim as he savoured his maiden NRL premiership but gave no concrete indication that he would back down.
“Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field, we’ll leave it at that,” he said on Sunday night.
“I’ve just won a premiership so that is the last thing on my mind, I’m worried about partying.”
Munster had a brief discussion about the incident with referee Klein on the field after the game.
“But honestly there’s nothing in it … So I’m very confident I’ll get off,” the Storm star said in the immediate aftermath.
Munster was wearing a mouthguard during the game and said he was a reformed character after years of pushing the boundaries.
“He (Alamoti) said he felt pressure and I said I didn’t bite him. That’s footy … I’ve got nothing to worry about,” he said.
“I’ve done a lot of silly things in the game and put my hand up for it. But I can put my hand on my heart there’s definitely nothing.
“I put my hand up with certain things that I definitely do in games and I’m a very honest person.
“I can definitely put my hand on my heart with everything I’ve spoken about and (say) there was no malice or even trying to bite.
“So I’m pretty disappointed, I’m trying to get that all of those grubby little incidents out of my game that I’ve obviously done in the previous years.”
– with AAP
