Cronulla Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson says there are no hard feelings against Kevin Proctor after he was sent off for biting his Kiwis teammate on Saturday.
Playing in his 250th NRL match, Titans captain Proctor became the first player in the NRL history to be sent off for biting after he appeared to sink his teeth into Johnson's arm during a tackle midway through the second half.
At the time, the scores were locked at 12-12, but the Sharks made the most of the one-man advantage to win 30-18 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
There was plenty of tension on the field following the alleged bite, but both players shook hands after the full-time siren.
The NRL Match Review Committee will decide whether Proctor should be charged for the incident, with a formal decision expected to be made on Sunday afternoon.
If Johnson had his way, Proctor wouldn't be punished.
"Nothing happened, let's just leave it at that," Johnson told Fox League after the match.
"We were both heated in the middle of the game and I was a bit high on him and whatever happened, happened but we're still mates.
"It's his 250th [NRL appearance] and I don't want this to dampen this at all. He's been a great player for so long at Melbourne and now Gold Coast, and he's led with his actions his whole career.
"I don't think it's appropriate and I guess this doesn't do Kevvie justice to talk about this. He's a great player and I've loved playing with him at Kiwi level and I've got nothing but respect for him.
"There's nothing much to say about it. What happens on the field stays on the field, we don't need to talk about it now."
Johnson added that he won't testify at the NRL judiciary if Proctor gets charged.
Biting incidents are rare in the NRL, the most notorious coming in the 2012 grand final when James Graham bit the ear of Billy Slater, resulting in a 12-match ban.
Former Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich was the last player to get charged with biting back in 2015, but was found not guilty at his hearing.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook defended his player, saying Proctor shouldn't have been sent off.
Proctor was seen in tears after the match and claimed he was being choked before the incident took place.
"Both players know each other really well and they both have exchanged words to each other," Holbrook says.
"One has apologised and Kevin wasn't the one who apologised. It's the first time in the history of the game someone has been sent off for biting.
"I just want the process to continue the way it always has done in the history of the game. Not have people stop and make comments on it.
"I can't afford a fine so I can't say a lot."
Meanwhile, a late Adam Reynold field goal saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs claim a 31-30 win over the North Queensland Cowboys, while the Canberra Raiders beat the woeful Brisbane Broncos 36-8.
Join us next sunday for live updates of the NZ Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs NRL clash
