The ACT Brumbies received a major boost ahead of this weekend's Super Rugby showdown with the Queensland Reds after flanker Michael Hooper escaped a ban for a dangerous tackle.
Hooper has been in brilliant form this season as the Brumbies have set the pace in the Australian conference.
The 21-year-old was cited for a tackle on Victor Vito after last weekend's victory over the Hurricanes, however, and was in danger of missing Saturday's match against the defending champions in Canberra.
SANZAR's judicial officer decided that although he was guilty of contributing to the tipping of Vito, Hooper had not been responsible for lifting the back row forward and issued him with an off-field yellow card.
Victory this weekend over the Reds, who have a dynamic young number seven of their own in Liam Gill, would all but clinch the conference title and a place in the playoffs for the Brumbies.
