The All Blacks’ appeal against the two-week suspension handed to Sione Lauaki has been successful.

Lauaki was cited for a dangerous tackle during last Saturday's 85-8 victory over Romania and the consequent ban had ruled him out of the side’s quarter-final, as well as the semifinal if the All Blacks were to advance that far.

But an appeal committee, meeting in Paris on Thursday, quashed the original decision after taking into account the context in which the incident occurred.

It was decided that the judicial officer's conclusion that the attempted tackle was late could not be supported.

Lauaki, who was overlooked for selection for Saturday's quarter-final against France, is now available for the semifinal on October 13 - if New Zealand manage to overcome Bernard Laporte’s men in Cardiff.