Gallen appeared to be bitten shortly before half-time. Source: News Corp Australia

Remarkably overlooked by both on-field referees and the NRL match review committee during and after the Maroons 52-6 thumping of NSW on Wednesday night, Parker can be seen biting on the left hand of NSW captain Paul Gallen.

The unnecessary incident raised the ire of NSW officials, given Parker’s public plea for respect from the Blues during the lead-up to the decider.

Paul Gallen allegedly being bitten by Corey Parker during Origin III. Source: News Corp Australia

The cheap chomp occurred with 15 seconds remaining before half time as Parker lumbered forward with the football towards the NSW tryline.

Parker was met in a three-man tackle by NSW defenders Beau Scott, Trent Merrin and Gallen.

TV replays and also these images from The Daily Telegraph photographer Gregg Porteous clearly show Parker pressing down onto Gallen’s left hand with his mouth, as the NSW skipper attempts to climb to his feet.

Moving around to position himself at marker, Gallen is then seen remonstrating with the on-field referees. He points at where he believes he had been bitten, however, the officials failed to react to turn to Gallen’s claims.

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Paul Gallen holds his left hand up after allegedly being bitten by Corey Parker. Source: News Corp Australia

Content to leave what happened on the field stay on the field, Gallen was more concerned with the nature of the Blues defeat and refused to comment about the incident on Thursday when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

An NRL spokesman told us: “There was no official complaint from the player.

“Nevertheless, the Match Review Committee examined the entire sequence of play on video and determined there was no case to answer.”

Parker and Gallen have been teammates for Australia over the past five years.

Blues officials, who were also unwilling to comment publicly, found the incident ironic given Parker’s much-publicised cry for respect following a heated exchange with NSW rookie forward David Klemmer in Origin II at the MCG.

“There’s a lot of passion and pride on the line but from my point of view there was just some disrespect shown and I just pretty much told him that,” Parker said prior to Wednesday night’s Origin III encounter.