‘We shook hands’: Jack Wighton sent straight to the judiciary for alleged bite in epic elimination final

Departing Raiders star Jack Wighton has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary for an alleged bite on Knights five-eighth Tyson Gamble during Sunday’s extraordinary elimination final in Newcastle.

Wighton, who will join the Rabbitohs next season, was stunningly allowed to stay on the field despite replays showing his mouth around Gamble’s arm.

A close-up shot showed what looked to be a bite mark, but referee Ashley Klein wasn’t entirely convinced and placed the incident on report despite loud calls from the crowd to send him off.

“I can’t move my mouth. He’s got to move his arm,” Wighton protested.

Gamble had no hesitation in making the official complaint on the field in the 47th minute but didn’t want to comment after the game.

“I’m just going to leave that on the field,” Gamble said.

“I’ve been asked a few times, but that’s footy. I don’t really want to comment on it because it’s done and dusted.

“We shook hands and he sort of said ‘all the best for the rest of the finals series’, but it is what it is.

“I don’t really have a comment on it, we’ll put it to the side and move on.”

Wighton isn’t the first player to be sent straight to the judiciary this season, with Broncos winger Ash Werner copping a two-game ban after she was sent off for a bite in the NRLW.

The alleged bite seemed to galvanise the Knights, who scored three tries in nine minutes to blow the game wide open after they went to the sheds down by 10 points.

What made the comeback even more special was that they had to do it without halfback Jackson Hastings, who is long odds to face the Warriors after he aggravated an ankle injury just before halftime.

Gamble produced a couple of big plays in the second half and in extra time, and he’ll need to do it again on Saturday night, with Adam Clune the man most likely to partner him if Hastings is ruled out.

The pair played three games together in the final few rounds while Hastings was out injured, and that time together could prove invaluable with the veteran No.7 in doubt.

“It’s a credit to him for even trying to play today,” Gamble said of his halves partner.

“I thought he did a good enough job, but if he’s not at 100 per cent then it’s hard for him because we need him out there and he’s been there all year, but in these games you need everyone to be 100 per cent.

“I really feel for him. I hope it’s not too bad and he’s a chance next week, but if he’s not then Adam Clune is ready to go.

“Cluney just comes in and doesn’t overplay his role.

“We’ve had a couple of games playing together so it should be seamless, but it’s a finals game and I’m not sure he’s played too many of them.”