New Zealand hooker Issac Luke has backed down over a planned gesture of support for suspended South Sydney teammate Kirisome Auva’a during Saturday’s Four Nations tournament final.

Luke indicated on his Instagram account on Friday that he would wear a message of support for Auva’a during the tournament decider against Australia at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.

Auva’a was suspended indefinitely by the NRL on Thursday, having pleaded guilty to recklessly injuring his ex-girlfriend in January.

“Thinking about you my boy @somauvaa keep your head up high. Love from me and my family bol. #onelove somi/ Will write you on my wrist tomorro night. Love u uso.” Luke wrote on the social media platform.

The post was accompanied by a photo of Auva’a in his Rabbitohs colours.

But, after a barrage of criticism, 31-Test veteran Luke changed his mind.

“I understand the profile I have it probably would be a bit tarnished by what I said,” he wrote.

“I don’t support his actions. To be fair I wanna kick his arse for laying his hands on a female. I’m just there for him.

“I’m simply saying that me and my family are there to support somi if he needs it. That’s my message if I could re write the message with it again I would change so that I can detail so people don’t think I am sending the wrong message.”

The Australian side have been wearing white ribbons in the lead-up to the final in support of the campaign to stamp out domestic violence.

Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith was forced to field questions on the Auva’a issue at the teams’ final press conference ahead of the decider.

“It is disappointing to talk about because we want to sit here and talk about the Four Nations final and what a wonderful game it will be,” Smith said.

“But the NRL has dealt with that issue.

“I’m not in the administration so whatever Dave Smith hands down that is his decision.”