NRL unable to determine whether Sharks veteran Will Chambers crossed the line with sledging

NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley says the league was unable to determine whether Sharks centre Will Chambers crossed the line with on-field sledging after Warriors forward Kane Evans lashed out at the veteran.

Chambers, during Cronulla's loss to New Zealand, getting into a number of verbal exchanges with Warriors players, at one stage creating a flashpoint with Kane Evans let his emotions get the better of him by lashing out at the Cronulla centre. responding with two punches.

Evans was sin binned as a result of his furious reaction.

Annesley confirmed the NRL's match review committee has since looked into the incident, but was unable to determine if Chambers had said anything that may have been considered a step too far.

"My understanding is the match review committee did monitor the referee's audio for any comments that may or may not have been made and comments weren't audible enough to be picked up by the on-field communication equipment," Annesley said.

"My understanding is they could not determine anything that was said.

"I also looked and listened to the footage using the referee's audio and I couldn't hear anything either.

"That's not to say that nothing was said, it's just nothing was picked up on the audio.

"The match review committee can only deal with the incidents that they believe they have evidence to proceed with. There was nothing there they could find."

Annesley confirmed the NRL is prepared to sanction players who cross the line when it comes to on-field sledging.

While the match review committee reviews all incidents of sledging, clubs are also encouraged to lodge any complaints in regard to verbal exchanges.

"There is a role for the match review committee and NRL to get involved in those sorts of incidents where there is evidence or where the is a complaint that's been lodged," Annesley added.

"It would be ridiculous for me to sit here and suggest that the players should never say anything to each other.

"But there is a line in the sand and they shouldn't overstep that, and if they do then there are consequences."