Morley cleared to face Aussies

Great Britain prop Adrian Morley is free to face Australia in the Tri-Nations next Saturday after a three-man panel cleared him of two offences.

The 29-year-old looked to be facing a ban when referee Paul Simpkins included reference in his match report to a high shot on Ruben Wiki and a punch on Brent Webb during Saturday's 18-14 defeat to New Zealand. However after reviewing video evidence, match commissioner Greg McCallum confirmed there would be no action taken against Morley, who recently returned from a seven-month ban.

McCallum said on BBC Sport Online: "The initial contact (with Wiki) was with the upper part of the shoulder and there was some secondary movement of the bicep on to the jaw. The contact was minimal."

He added: "Brent Webb used his elbow in an aggressive manner towards the player. Morley responded. Again, the committee felt the contact was minimal and there was no case to answer."

Scarcely three minutes into the contest, the Super League-bound forward was put on report by Australian referee Simpkins for his high shot on Kiwis skipper Wiki.

Morley found himself in hot water with the referee again in the second half after he appeared to have punched fullback Webb in a tackle, however the confirmation from McCallum that he was provoked will come as a huge relief to coach Brian Noble.

Speaking after the match, Wiki admitted the shot on him may not have been particularly dirty but he did state that the volley of punches on Webb would warrant further investigation.

"You know Moz [Morley], he's really passionate," Wiki said. "The one on me was high but he is a lot taller than me, but the one on Webby he got a bit carried away."

Despite being put on report for the shot on Wiki, Morley escaped a similar punishment following the Webb incident. However, Kiwis coach Brian McClennan met with officials in a bid to press for Morley to face further scrutiny for the second run-in as well.

"I think when a player is on the ground and another player just punches him while he is over the top, you kind of have to," said McClennan, when asked whether he would ask for the former Roosters big man to be cited. You don't go punching people on the ground. It is as simple as that."