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Sport
George Clarke

NRL defends lack of Asofa-Solomona charge

The NRL has defended a decision to not sanction Melbourne forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The NRL's match review committee has taken the unusual step of explaining why it did not sanction Melbourne's Nelson Asofa-Solomona after he planted his elbow into the face of Warriors hooker Wayde Egan.

Match review committee coordinator Luke Patten released a video during head of football Graham Annesley's weekly briefing on Monday where he justified the decision to not charge Asofa-Solomona.

Asofa-Solomona was placed on report on Friday and Egan reportedly sustained damage to his teeth.

Immortal and Nine Network commentator Andrew Johns said the lack of punishment was "laughable" and claimed the intent was such that Asofa-Solomona should get a four-month suspension.

Adding to the confusion was the fact that Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was charged for using an elbow to the face of Manly debutant Zac Fulton on Thursday.

Patten, however, said the contact was minimal in the case of Asofa-Solomona.

"There might be possibly minor contact at the end of the tackle with Nelson's forearm to the neck and chin area," he said. "That was a minor contact.

"It was a forceful tackle which unfortunately resulted in Egan's head going into the ground."

Annesley said injury was considered when determining a grading.

"It's only a charge if a player is found to have breached the rules," Annesley said.

"In order to have injury considered in grading there has to have been an offence committed."

Meanwhile, North Queensland's Jason Taumalolo has been fined $3000 after being charged for a grade one shoulder charge - his second of the season - on St George Illawarra's Blake Lawrie.

Dragons forward Jaydn Su'A escaped with an $1800 fine for pulling Luciano Leilua's hair in the same game.

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