The Kiwis hooker Issac Luke is to contest his grade one striking charge at the National Rugby League judiciary tomorrow in a bid to play in Friday's trans-Tasman Test.
The New Zealand Rugby League petitioned Luke's South Sydney club to contest the charge and the Rabbitohs have confirmed the move.
The Souths football manager John Lang says the club's lawyer Geoff Bellew is confident Luke has a strong defence, after viewing video footage of the incident involving Gold Coast's Anthony Laffranchi.
Due to two previous charges in the past two years, Luke faces a one-match ban if he issues an early guilty plea or contests the charge and loses.
Test matches are counted in any suspensions incurred by players in the NRL.
Lang says Souths have contacted the NZRL to pass on their decision to fight the charge.
Kiwis coach Steve Kearney says the West Tigers hooker Dene Halatau is being flown in from Sydney as cover for Luke in case he isn't cleared.
