Jarome Luai has been cleared of an eye gouge, but will still face a fine of close to $4000 from the NRL for rubbing Reuben Cotter's face in State of Origin II.
Luai's Origin return threatened to be overshadowed by the incident on Wednesday night, after his hand rubbed across Cotter's upper face in NSW's 26-24 loss.
Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga then made a raking action to sideline officials, before Luai was placed on report by referee Ashley Klein at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Luai was hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge, which AAP understands was for unnecessary contact with an opponent's face.
That would ordinarily result in a ban, but due to rules for Origin and finals matches Luai can accept a fine of $3900.
NSW coach Laurie Daley defended the incident after the match, following the Blues' failed comeback from 26-6 down.
"I thought it was just a facial," Daley said.
"We saw a fair few of them in game one too."
Luai had an unhappy opening 40 minutes after being called back into the NSW team for the injured Mitch Moses, putting his first kick out on the full.
But like most of the Blues, he was far better in the second, helping lay on three tries for NSW.
Scott Bailey - AAP
