UPDATE: THE NRL match review claimed Chris Heighington mistook Wayne Ulugia's head for the ball in clearing the Cronulla back-rower of what appeared an ugly eye gouge.

Despite seemingly incriminating footage emerging on Monday of Heighington's fingers digging into the North Queensland rookie's eye, the English Test forward was found to have no case to answer.



"It was flagged up by the match reviewer. It appears that Chris Heighington was attempting to grab the ball," match review committee chairman Greg McCullum told AAP.



"He was behind the player, made contact with his arm first and then his hand went onto the head of the young winger from the Cowboys.



"We didn't see it as a gouge - there was no reaction at all from the player ... Heighington was upside down when he was trying to grab him."



Given the seriousness with which eye gouges are normally treated by the NRL judiciary, Heighington would have been lucky to play again in the finals series had he been charged, but he is instead free to line up against Manly in Friday night's semi-final.



Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said he saw no problem with his player's actions



"I spoke to Chris, Chris didn't know anything about it," Flanagan told reporters.



"I just told him he's got no concerns."

EARLIER REPORT:

THE NRL referees who robbed North Queensland of a finals victory also missed a shocking eye-gouge on rookie Cowboy Wayne Ulugia.

The gouge left another black eye on the NRL’s bruised finals series which has been dogged by a seventh-tackle try, allegations of conspiracy and poor crowds on the opening weekend.

The rake of Ulugia’s eyes was the worst in a series of grubby tactics from the Cronulla Sharks during their two-point victory over the luckless Cowboys on Saturday afternoon.

The perpetrator of the ugly act was veteran Sharks forward Chris Heighington.

Heighington accurately plunged his fingers into the left eye of 21-year-old Ulugia who was in the process of attempting to score a try in the 30th minute.

Ulugia knocked-on in the tackle, which allowed a break in play and replays to be viewed, but still no action was taken despite the gouge being identifiable on multiple angles.

Ulugia suffered minimal damage in the incident and because he got up immediately the act was not even placed on report.

The Sharks were at it again in the second half with centre Ben Pomeroy delivering an uppercut with his left forearm to the groin of Cowboys opposite Kane Linnett.

Linnett immediately complained to a touch judge about the rabbit punch but was ignored.

NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum confirmed Heighington’s gouge would be scrutinised.

"We will investigate it," McCallum said.

"I will look at the incident when I go through the tape of the game.

"If there is something in it then it will come out in the charge sheet on Monday."

Just last week the match review committee opted against charging South Sydney forward Sam Burgess for an gouge, albeit minor, on James Maloney.

Burgess received a warning but Heighington’s gouge was more vigorous.

Experienced referee Matt Cecchin had a clear view of the gouge and was also responsible for the botched tackle count that led to the Sharks’ opening try.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg yesterday said referees may have to front press conferences to explain controversial decisions in the future.

"I am not against that on certain occasions. There were six match officials there after the game and I can tell you they were completely shattered," Greenberg said.

"Sometimes, not saying regularly, when a referee wants to portray his points of view then we may look at it.

"We would be silly not to keep our eyes open and make sure across the game we are held accountable."

Greenberg also said Cowboys coach Neil Henry, who alluded to a conspiracy to keep Sydney teams in the finals in his post-match press conference, would not be fined for his outburst.

"I sat and listened to his press conference. He spoke from the heart," he said.

"He showed raw emotion."