League: Luke cleared to play

Issac Luke. Photo / Getty Images

Hooker Issac Luke has been cleared to play Wales in the Kiwis' Four Nations match at Wembley this weekend but told he faces a ban if cautioned for another `cannonball' tackle during the tournament.

Luke outraged the Australian camp for his controversial 69th-minute tackle on David Shillington during the Kiwis' 26-12 defeat on Saturday, after a similar tackle on Sam Thaiday during the test between the two sides a fortnight earlier in Newcastle.

Shillington needed lengthy on-field treatment on his knee after the challenge but has escaped major injury and should be available to play against England this weekend.

A cannonball tackle is when a player dives in at the legs of the ball-carrier, who is being held up by other defenders as they attempt to wrestle the player to the ground.

The Kiwis have been steadfast in their defence of Luke, who hasn't spoken on the tackle, and said he isn't a dirty player.

The incident was not put on report by referee Phil Bentham, but it was reviewed by an international match-review panel comprising Jon Sharp, Marc Harris and Stuart Raper, who issued Luke with a caution for "conduct contrary to the true spirit of the game''.

A second caution during the tournament would see Luke automatically charged with an offence which would be considered by an international disciplinary committee.

The incident is bound to add some spice should the Kiwis meet Australia in the Four Nations final but Australia's Paul Gallen said they had moved on.

"It's a test match. You know you can get away with a bit more,'' Gallen told AAP. "It can be quite a dangerous tackle but it is quite a difficult thing to rule on for the referee. We are not worrying about Issac Luke. That game has gone and now we face England.''