Manly's Willie Mason has described as "hilarious" an incident in which Newcastle forward and former teammate Korbin Sims pinched his genitals.
Sims was caught on camera grabbing at Mason's crotch as the Sea Eagles front rower prepared to play the ball during the second half of Manly's 30-10 NRL winover Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Video and images of the incident quickly went viral on social media.
Mason did not react to the grope and after the game laughed it off, saying he hoped no punishment would come to Sims as a result of it.
"Offended? Please. I think it's hilarious," Mason said.
"I hope he doesn't (get charged for the incident) because me and Korbin are really good mates and I think it was unlucky because of the timing of it all.
"I knew what he was doing. I was talking to him as he was doing it.