Vision emerges of Cameron Munster and Paul Alamoti embrace after grand final biting allegation
Updated . First published
Vision has emerged of Paul Alamoti and Cameron Munster shaking hands after the NRL grand final after a biting allegation was made.
On Monday morning, the match review committee decided Munster has no case to answer after being accused of biting the Penrith player Paul Alamoti in Sunday's decider.
The NRL's committee did not lay a single charge from the game, which the Panthers won.
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With six minutes remaining in the premiership decider, referee Ashley Klein was forced to stop play as the Bunker investigated Alamoti's allegations against Munster.
Cameron Munster was put on report for an alleged biting incident. Nine
The Storm playmaker denied wrongdoing as he approached Klein, who decided against sending Munster to the sin bin due to insufficient evidence. He also opted against awarding a penalty.
"We can't be certain. It is on report so we will deal with it later," Klein was heard telling players.
As possession was overturned to the Panthers, Alamoti informed Klein of the alleged bite.
Video replays indicated Alamoti's arm was wrapped underneath Munster's head, around his mouth. He immediately appealed to referee Klein.
Nine's cameras showed both men embracing each other after the match.
Cameron Munster and Paul Alamoti shake hands post-match. Nine
Speaking to media post-game, the superstar five-eighth denied any wrongdoing and was intent on defending himself before the committee's decision.
"I spoke to Ashley about the allegation and he pretty much told me that when someone alleges a certain thing, they have to put it on report," he said.
"There was no malice or anything in it. I'm very confident that I will get off.
"I spoke to Paul Alamoti after the game and there's nothing bad there. He said he felt pressure but I told him I didn't bite. I've got nothing to worry about.
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"I've done a lot of silly things in the game and put my hand up for it, but I put my hand on my heart that this one is definitely not [true].
"In certain grand finals like 2018 ... I put my hand up with certain things I do in the games. There was no malice or even trying to bite. I'm pretty disappointed because I'm trying to get that out of my game, those little grubby incidents.
"For that to come out is disappointing, but we've just got to let the judiciary decide."
Alamoti refused to delve into the matter post-game.
"I'm a big believer in what happens on the field stays on the field," he said in the sheds.
"We all have that competitive edge sometimes and we'll do whatever it takes to win, but what happens on the field stays on the field."
During the game, Andrew Johns took aim at Munster's potential indiscretion.
"Some will say he shouldn't have had his arm there but that is irrelevant ... you can't bite," he said on Nine.
"I couldn't really see much in it," Johnathan Thurston added.
"It's out of character for Cameron Munster if it was true but we will have to wait and see."
Asked about the bite post-match, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was unable to shed light on the matter.
"If he thought he was bitten then I suppose he's going to say it," Bellamy said.
"I've seen a little bit of it. I don't know whether he did or not, I haven't spoken to Munster about it.
"I'm sure they'll sort that out."
