Cowboys winger Taulagi avoids ban for late shot

The hit threatened to prove costly, as Newcastle ran in two tries while Taulagi was off the field, before Valentine Holmes saved the day late for North Queensland.

Taulagi was on Sunday morning handed a grade-one dangerous contact charge, and will escape with a discounted $750 fine given it is the first offence of his career.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said after the game he was unhappy with the Kangaroos Test winger's hit.

"It's really hard to play with 12 men. That decision from Muz wasn't a smart one," Payten said.

No other players were charged out of Saturday's matches.