Warriors interim coach Stacey Jones has questioned the NRL's decision not to sanction Nelson Asofa-Solomona for making elbow contact with Wayde Egan's jaw.
Warriors interim coach Stacey Jones says he was "baffled" by the NRL match review committee's decision not to charge Nelson Asofa-Solomona for making elbow contact with Wayde Egan's jaw.
Egan needed to leave the field after the tackle in Friday night's match, which left him with loose teeth, but the match review committee opted not to sanction the Storm forward.
Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was handed a grade one charge for a similar offence in round 20 but match review committee manager Luke Patten said the panel found Asofa-Solomona had only made "minor contact" with Egan.
Egan was able to return to the field and will line up for the Warriors against South Sydney this weekend but Jones questioned what kind of message the NRL had sent by opting not to charge Asofa-Solomona.
"It's not a good message," Jones said, "It's baffled me a little bit, like everyone else.
"We're all about protecting our players. The game is so tough and physical.
"Wayde was really rattled. It could have been worse but I thought (Asofa-Solomona) could have at least been charged."
Jones said the NRL's duty of care extended to the tackling player, as well as the ball-carrier.
Asofa-Solomona has incurred four match review committee charges this season, three for high tackles and one for making dangerous contact with a defender using his forearm. He escaped with fines on all four occasions.
Jones suggested punishing Asofa-Solomona more seriously could help deter him from similar incidents in future that may have the potential to injure.
"It's about protecting Nelson too, in some sort of way," he said.
"He plays a physical game and the size of his body and the damage he could do to someone, it could turn out very nasty.
"I'm sure Nelson doesn't want to have that on him."
Egan's teammate Marcelo Montoya said the NRL had set a precedent by opting not to charge Asofa-Solomona.
"If that's the stance the NRL wants to take, then that's the stance they're going to take," he said.
"I think maybe he should have been charged at least. Nelson plays very physically but I'm sure he doesn't go out there to try and hurt players.
"(But) it can be dangerous. It was something that he probably shouldn't have done."
