Waratahs prop Angus Bell has escaped a suspension for a tip tackle on Chiefs captain Sam Cane, the front-rower instead issued only a warning by the SANZAAR judiciary panel.
Bell was sent from the field after just two minutes of the Waratahs' Super Round opener at AAMI Park, a yellow card to Jamie Roberts' 10 minutes later only further compounding New South Wales' woes.
Darren Coleman's team would go on to lose the match 51-27, after they had earlier reduced the deficit to just three points, with the Chiefs pulling away inside the final quarter.
Bell had been expected to miss at least a couple of weeks through suspension, particularly given Cane had landed on the side of his head. But the judiciary ruled otherwise, declaring the involvement of "other players" had influenced Bell's tackle.
"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, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee found the foul play did not breach the red card threshold."
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the red card threshold. The Foul Play Review Committee deemed that the significant involvement of other players contributed to the incident which produced mitigating factors."
"The player is therefore free to resume playing."
Bell's warning is a huge boost for the Waratahs who next face the Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday, though NSW will be without Will Harrison for the rest of the season.
Harrison left the field late in the first half against the Chiefs and has since been confirmed to have suffered a torn ACL.