The Brumbies and Reds have received mixed fortunes ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Suncorp Stadium, with Tom Banks cleared of wrongdoing whilst Dane Zander received a three-match ban for their high tackles.
Banks was sent off after a nasty collision with Toni Pulu during their win over the Western Force.
The TMO would also award the Force a penalty try, who would go on to score 28 unanswered points during the 20 minute period.
However, SANZAAR has ruled the incident only warranted a yellow card, deeming there were mitigating factors and the initial contact was shoulder-to-shoulder.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from submissions from the Player, the Foul Play Review Committee dismissed the Red Card and instead issued a Warning," Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Michael Heron QC ruled.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee found the act of foul play did not breach the Red Card threshold due to mitigating factors. The Foul Play Review Committee found that initial contact was shoulder to shoulder, there was an effort to wrap in the tackle and the tackled player contributed to the contact with a sudden and late change in direction.
"The Foul Play Review Committee did believe that the offence was close to the Red Card threshold and as a result issued a Warning (the equivalent of a yellow card). The player is therefore free to resume playing.”
Regardless of the ruling, Banks is unlikely to feature in the considerable future after he suffered a reported facial fracture as a result of the tackle.
Meanwhile, Zander will miss the next three games after his tackle on Ruan Smith during their win over the Waratahs, graded as a 'mid-range' offence.
His early guilty plea reduced the suspension from six games, ensuring he will be likely available to play in Super Round against the Hurricanes if he completes a Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention program.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Mark Martin QC, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13," Heron added.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. Taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record, his acceptance of foul play and his expressed remorse, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks. "The Player was informed of his ability to apply for the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention. Any player who has a citing or red card upheld by a disciplinary panel for foul play involving the Head Contact Process may apply to have the final week of their sanction substituted by undertaking a coaching intervention that specifically addresses the technical tackle/contact technique-error that caused or contributed to the foul play. This intervention will be overseen by the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Expert Review Panel – a panel of expert independent coaches - and is only be available to first time offenders."
