It ‘snot an eye gouge

NATE Myles yesterday vehemently denied he eye-gouged Jarryd Hayne – then stressed the need for State of Origin to remain the one arena in rugby league where players could get away with more on the field.

Myles sparked outrage on social media when he appeared to use his right fingers in Hayne’s eyes as he tried to play the ball midway through the first half on Wednesday.

The incident was not picked up by the match review committee and Myles only became aware of the backlash when told by media.

Hayne did not want the matter taken further and said after the match: “It’s Origin. Those things happen.”

Myles quipped: “Haynesy’ had a bit of snot on his nose. I didn’t want him to be photographed with it’’ before he added: “My fingers were nowhere near his eyes.

“I’m the first one to always say in Origin, ‘What happens on the field stays on the field’.”