Queensland Maroons forward Reuben Cotter has dismissed suggestions that Jarome Luai eye-gouged him during State of Origin Game 2, clarifying that the contact was incidental and that he was simply reacting to physical pressure in the tackle.
The controversy erupted during Queensland’s 26-24 win over NSW in Perth, when Luai was placed on report after an on-field scuffle involving Cotter.
The incident occurred following a loose ball from Payne Haas, which Cotter dived on before being met by Luai’s tackle.
Luai’s hand appeared to brush across Cotter’s face as the two wrestled on the ground, prompting Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga to gesture toward the sideline with a raking motion, seemingly accusing Luai of an eye gouge.
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The NRL Match Review Committee later cleared Luai of any gouging action.
Instead, the NSW five-eighth was issued a grade-two contrary conduct charge and fined $3900 for unnecessary contact with Cotter’s face.
In an interview with AAP, Cotter made it clear there was no malicious intent in the tackle from Luai.
“I didn't get eye gouged at all,” Cotter told AAP.
“He just came in with his elbow or his shoulder, I'm not sure what he came in with. I just stood up for myself, tried to push him off me," he continued.
He said he felt no need to escalate the incident further, brushing off any suggestion that Luai should have faced a harsher penalty.
Despite the visual impact of the swelling, Cotter downplayed its severity and shifted focus back to the team’s performance in forcing a series decider.
Photos from the Maroons dressing room showed Cotter with a swollen eye, but the Queensland second-rower confirmed that injury was unrelated to the Luai clash.
He said the damage came from a collision with NSW forward Liam Martin later in the game.