<
>

Holmes avoids NRL charge, free for Origin

Valentine Holmes is free to play in State of Origin II after escaping sanction from the NRL's match review committee.

The North Queensland fullback was put on report for a suspected shoulder charge in the Cowboys' 50-18 loss to Manly on Friday night.

The Maroons star nervously waited for Saturday morning's charge sheet but was not pinged by the MRC for his shot on Haumole Olakau'atu on halftime at Brookvale.

It's a significant let off for Holmes, who has weighting from a similar incident last year hanging over his head.

Any charge, even with the lowest grading, could result in a two-match ban for the Queensland fullback with the weighting from the previous incident inflating the usual one-match ban.

Holmes was shifted from wing to fullback for Queensland's series-opening loss to NSW on Wednesday night after Kalyn Ponga withdrew through injury.

His availability is crucial for the Maroons as they try to level the series at Suncorp Stadium on June 27.

Meanwhile, Penrith hooker Api Koroisau has also avoided a suspension after being placed on report twice in Friday night's 19-18 loss ot Cronulla.

Koroisau has been fined for a a grade-one trip on Shaun Johnson, but was not charged with a lifting tackle on Aaron Woods.