Newcastle Knights winger Akuila Uate escaped suspension for his tackle on Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona during Monday's clash at Leichhardt Oval and is free to play for NSW in next week's State of Origin II.

Uate took an early guilty plea and the NRL match review committee ruled his tackle as only a grade one offence.

Uate took 93 points with the early plea.

NRL Committee chairman Greg McCallum said a grade one charge was appropriate in this instance.