Melbourne centre Billy Meakes has escaped suspension for foul play in the Rebels' Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves last Saturday night.
Meakes had to answer via video conference to the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee following a second-half tackle on Sunwolves centre Jason Emery.
The Wallabies hopeful wasn't penalised for the 66th-minute tackle at the time before being found to have allegedly contravened Law 9.13: "A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously."
But, despite upholding the charge, the three-man panel of De Wet Barry, Chris Smith and chairman Michael Heron QC deemed a warning as sufficient punishment for Meakes.
"Having conducted a detailed review of the available evidence, in particular additional footage showing a close up of the incident, and hearing from the player and considering submissions from his legal representative, Tim North QC, the Judicial Committee upheld the citing of an act of foul play under Law 9.13," Heron said.
"The Judicial Committee however found that the act of foul play did not meet the red Card threshold.
"On review of footage not available to the citing commissioner, it was clear the initial point of contact was below the shoulder line with use of the arms in an attempted wrap.
"The player's shoulder rose up post the initial contact and may have contacted the neck of the tackled player although footage was inconclusive.
"There was no evidence of contact with the head of the tackled player."
"The action of the player in tackling a vulnerable opponent at the shoulder line and rising up was dangerous and as a result a warning would be issued."
The reprieve frees up Meakes to play against the Stormers on Friday night.
Already seven points clear atop the Australian conference, a home win at AAMI Park would leave the Rebels in a commanding position as they eye a first-ever Super Rugby finals berth.
