NRL: Luke ruled out of Kiwis test

Issac Luke will not play in Friday night's Anzac test. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney hooker Issac Luke has been ruled out of the New Zealand side for Friday night's rugby league test match against Australia after failing to beat a striking charge at the National Rugby League judiciary.

Luke was contesting a grade one striking charge - the lowest end of the scale - arising from an incident late in last Saturday's loss to Gold Coast.

It occurred with Luke in possession of the ball and involved Titans defender Anthony Laffranchi.

After a 30-minute hearing, the judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Bob Lindner and Ian Roberts took less than 15 minutes to reach a surprise verdict.

A stunned Luke did not speak to waiting media after the verdict, but Kiwis spokesman Richard Becht said: "We've got a young man who's devastated that he's not going to be able to play for his country, it's obviously why he plays the game.

"From the New Zealand Rugby League camp, we certainly view the punishment as harsh but, be that as it may, it's done, we'll move on, we have a test match to prepare for."

The creative Luke's loss is a massive blow to World Cup holders New Zealand and Becht confirmed Wests Tigers hooker Dene Halatau would start the Suncorp Stadium Test as his replacement.

Due to two previous charges in the past two years, Luke had faced a one-match ban if he issued an early guilty plea or contested the charge and lost.

Test matches are counted in any suspensions incurred by players in the NRL.

Luke's lawyer Geoff Bellew unsuccessfully argued that the player's action could not be defined as reckless and a guilty verdict would mean players could be punished for accidents.

But NRL prosecutor Peter Kite argued Luke had led with a forearm above his shoulder and made contact with Laffranchi's jaw.

Souths coach Jason Taylor said the club was disappointed Luke would miss out on the big game experience.

"He's really passionate about playing for the Kiwis, he was in the starting team and it was going to be a real highlight for him so it's very disappointing," Taylor said.

"I just had a bit of a chat to him about making sure that he handles it in the right way because he's pretty disappointed right now."

The Kiwis have made just two starting changes from last year's World Cup winning outfit with prop Roy Asotasi replacing retired World Cup skipper Nathan Cayless and Halatau now replacing England-based Thomas Leuluai.

- AAP