League: Charge a surprise to Luke's 'victim'

The Kiwis trained yesterday as if Isaac Luke would be their hooker on Firday. Photo / Getty Images.

The alleged recipient of Issac Luke's grade one striking charge admits he "didn't read much into it" during the match, as the Kiwis hooker prepares to fly to Sydney today to argue for his place in Friday's transtasman league test.

Kangaroos forward Anthony Laffranchi appeared surprised Luke was charged for the incident late in the South Sydney-Gold Coast National Rugby League match on Saturday.

"At the time I didn't read too much into it. There wasn't a penalty involved and he wasn't placed on report. It was up to the match review to make that decision," said Laffranchi yesterday.

Video replays show Luke raise his arm as Laffranchi attempted a tackle.

After viewing the footage, South Sydney's lawyer Geoff Bellew, SC, had decided there was "a definite case to argue", said the club's football manager, John Lang.

Luke will be accompanied by the Kiwis' media manager, Richard Becht, on the flight to Sydney after training today, and they will be whisked from the airport to Bellew's offices before the hearing at NRL headquarters (8pm NZ time). They plan to return to Brisbane immediately afterwards.

A guarded Laffranchi said he had not been asked by Souths to assist Luke's defence and would not consider it unless approached.

The Kiwis trained yesterday as if Luke would be their hooker, although accomplished Wests Tigers rake Dene Halatau was flown to Brisbane as cover.

The Kiwis hope Bellew's remarkable recent record at the NRL judiciary continues, with Luke facing a one-match ban if found guilty.

Bellew went two-for-two last week, helping to clear Cronulla and Kangaroos forward Paul Gallen of a high tackle charge and the Bulldogs' Michael Ennis of an alleged "chicken wing" tackle.

Kiwis coach Steve Kearney appeared irked at the charge and questioned whether a test spot should be on the line for an alleged offence at the lowest end of the scale.

"I've only glimpsed [the replay] briefly and there doesn't seem to be a great deal in it."

Kearney said Luke remained positive, and focused on training well.

Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith offered sympathy, having missed last year's NRL grand final because of a two-week ban for a grapple tackle.

"I know from personal experience there and it's difficult for anyone. I said it after I got suspended, I wouldn't wish that same situation on anyone coming into a big match," Smith said.

"He's a great player, Issac Luke, but that stuff is out of our control.

"He would be a big loss [for the Kiwis]. He's been playing some really good football for Souths and he's a dangerous player."

The affair continued the Kiwis' disrupted buildup this week as captain Benji Marshall and back-rower Jeremy Smith sat out much of yesterday's light training session.

Marshall will hit the ground running today after recovering from a bruised leg, while Smith was said to be making a speedy recovery from a high ankle sprain.

Kearney will wait until after Luke's hearing to publicly name his starting 13.

The Anzac test referee is Richard Silverwood from Super League, while Aussie Bill Harrigan and Kiwi Dave Pakieto will combine in the video reviewing role and must agree on joint decisions. Touch judges are Aussie Paul Holland and Kiwi Adam Burns.

- NZPA