Morley to play for Britain despite seven-match ban

Adrian Morley is clear to play for Great Britain in the Tri-Nations this autumn following a "quality of mercy" judgement from the National Rugby League's judiciary in Sydney.

Morley has been suspended for seven matches for his attack on Canterbury's Corey Hughes whilst playing for the Sydney Roosters last weekend. He was sent off for kneeing Hughes in the groin.

His ban means that his Australian career is over after a turbulent six seasons, during which he has been suspended 11 times for a total of 27 matches. With six games left of the Australian season, he is likely to be able to complete his ban by counting Great Britain's pre-tournament warm-up match, probably against the Newcastle Knights.

That means he will be able to play for his country in their first Tri-Nations match, against New Zealand in Christchurch on 28 October, which will be an obvious relief for the Great Britain coach, Brian Noble.

It also means that Morley will be free to begin his four-year contract at Warrington at the start of next season.

"I'm bitterly disappointed that my NRL and Roosters career has finished this way," he said after what he called a fair hearing. "I certainly didn't intend to knee him. That wasn't my intention. I'm very regretful. It was a stupid thing to do."

The Leigh loose forward, Rob Roberts, has been cleared of attempted gouging in the Northern Rail Cup final victory over Hull KR.

Wakefield have completed the signing of former Cronulla hooker, Tevita Latu, for the rest of the season. The club managed to register Latu before last Friday's deadline.

Swinton have been told that they must play their National League Two match at Hunslet on a rearranged date after it was called off on Sunday because of the lack of a club doctor on duty.