Jarome Luai and Zac Lomax reported for ugly acts in fiery State of Origin clash

Jarome Luai has been put on report in his State of Origin return and Zac Lomax joined him in the book as NSW and Queensland fired up at a wet Optus Stadium in Perth.

The returning Blues five-eighth was caught grabbing the face of Maroons forward Reuben Cotter midway through a first half dominated by the Maroons.

Cotter’s teammate Kalyn Ponga was the first to remonstrate with Luai before indicating he witnessed an alleged eye gouge to the touch judge.

Luai appeared to suggest he was also scraped along the face.

But it was only the Wests Tigers star who went in the book, while ref Ashley Klein wasted little time warning the teams when things kicked off again after play resumed.

“Every time I’ve blown the whistle there’s been this push and shove,” he told the captains.

“I’m not going to cop it.”

Soon after, Lomax was put on report himself soon after for a blatant elbow to the head of Trent Loiero in a bid to get up and play the ball.

Loiero was sent for a head injury assessment, showing Category 2 symptoms, but passed ahead of the second half.

Queensland, inspired by new halfback Tom Dearden, rushed out to a 20-6 lead with a penalty goal as they sought to keep the series alive.

NSW, meanwhile, battled in attack with an apparent leg concern robbing Nathan Cleary of his kicking weapons.

Blues legend Andrew Johns noted early that Cleary had not taken any long kicks while the Penrith star had also given up the goalkicking duties.

“Nathan Cleary on his right leg, he’s got some compression. He hasn’t kicked long ... that’s a worry,” Johns said on Nine.

Cleary shanked another late in the first half.

“You never ever ever see it,” Johns said, adamant something was wrong.

Just moments later Cleary shook off tacklers to score under the sticks but Stefano Utoikamanu was found to have obstructed Queensland.

The Maroons made NSW pay dearly when 32-year-old debutant Kurt Mann sent Kurt Capewell through for the team’s fourth try of the first half.

Valentine Holmes maintained his 100 per cent record on the night to extend the lead to 26-6.