Rugby: Lauaki suspension wiped

Sione Lauaki

All Blacks No 8 Sione Lauaki is free to play in the rugby World Cup after his suspension for an alleged dangerous tackle was wiped in Paris today.

A Rugby World Cup appeal committee quashed the two-week ban handed down on Tuesday by judicial officer Christopher Quinlan, finding a gaping hole in his original finding on the incident which took place against Romania last Sunday in Toulouse.

The appeal committee comprising chairman Graeme Mew of Canada, Argentine judge Guillermo Tragant and Australian Harold Shand said Quinlan's conclusion that the attempted tackle on winger Gabriel Brezoinu was late could not be supported.

Having determined that, the committee said the remaining evidence of foul play could not justify any argument that the tackle was dangerous.

Lauaki attended the short hearing today in Paris with All Blacks' team lawyer Steve Cottrell.

Lauaki had been suspended from this Sunday's quarterfinal against France in Cardiff and would also have missed the semifinal in Paris next week if New Zealand qualify.

The All Blacks team to face France has already been named without Lauaki and have spent the week training together.

But the powerful Waikato forward will at least come into the selection frame next week if the All Blacks reach the semis.

- NZPA