Australia's hopes of retaining the Tri Nations title and Bledisloe Cup were boosted yesterday when their fiery lock Justin Harrison escaped suspension by the competition's governing body, Sanzar.
Harrison, one of three players sin-binned during a volatile Test against South Africa at the Gabba on Saturday night, was cited for striking an opponent during a brawl in the 32nd minute.
The Sanzar judiciary committee ruled that Harrison was properly dealt with on the field by the English referee Steve Lander during the brawl, which involved up to 20 players.
Springbok prop Faan Rautenbach, who was also cited, was let off - even though his record will now include a retrospective yellow card for his part in the fight.
Australia went to a 24-3 lead, but lost their rhythm and composure after the brawl, when South Africa took advantage of them being down to 13 men, as Harrison was accompanied by the Wallaby hooker Jeremy Paul on the sideline.
The fight was started by Springbok full-back Werner Greeff taking out his opposite number, Chris Latham, when the Wallaby full-back was mid-air taking a high ball. Greeff's blatant charge of Latham prompted the teams to exchange punches.
In the second half, the Springboks suddenly seized control, repeatedly finding holes in Australia's outer defence to score four tries and cut the deficit to six points.
However, South Africa's repeated indiscretions at the breakdown proved crucial, with Lander whistling them out of the Test, giving Australia a glaring 22-10 penalty advantage.
Finally a George Gregan gamble guaranteed Australia, who play New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday in the return Bledisloe Cup match, a crucial bonus point. With just a few seconds to go, and ahead 33-27, Australia were awarded a penalty in front of the South African goalposts.
A successful kick would have chopped off one of South Africa's bonus points, by extending Australia's lead beyond seven points.
Instead Gregan decided on chasing a last-second fourth try, setting a scrum, and then pushing play wide towards the sideline, where Latham squeezed between several Springbok defenders to score.
Australia: Latham; Tune, Burke (Rogers, 69), Herbert, Mortlock; Larkham (Flatley, 79), Gregan; Young, Paul, Noriega (Darwin, 71), Harrison, Sharpe (Cockbain, 71), Finegan (Lyons, 62), Smith, Kefu.
Scorers: Tries: Tune, Mortlock, Latham 2. Cons: Burke 3. Pens: Burke 3, Mortlock.
South Africa: Greeff (Jacobs, 75); Terblanche (Russell, 72), Joubert, Barry, Paulse; Pretorius, Conradie; Sephaka (Le Roux, 61), Dalton (Du Preez, 72), Rautenbach, Labuschagne, Matfield, Krige (Scholtz, 33), Van Niekerk, Skinstad.
Scorers: Tries: Joubert 2, Skinstad, Russell. Cons: Pretorious 2. Pens: Pretorious.
Referee: S Lander (England)
