Oliver rejoins team after being cleared of foul play

It will be business as usual for Anton Oliver in this weekend's Super 14 after the Sanzar judiciary cleared the Highlanders' hooker of foul play.

Oliver appeared before the judiciary in Wellington yesterday after being cited during the Highlanders' 20-3 loss to the Waratahs at Carisbrook on Friday night.

Commissioner Dave Gray cited Oliver for allegedly stamping or trampling opposition prop Benn Robinson on the head at the bottom of a ruck.

At the time, referee Mark Lawrence warned the Waratah for lying over the ball. Soon after, Robinson left the field for attention to a head wound.

Judiciary chairman Bruce Squire QC said after hearing evidence from Oliver and viewing video footage of the incident, the committee was satisfied that it was another Highlanders player who had struck Robinson on the head.

At the same ruck, Oliver's boot made contact with the shoulder of another Waratahs player lying on the Highlanders' side of the ruck.

The committee was satisfied the contact was accidental.

Highlanders chief executive Russell Gray was delighted Oliver had been cleared.

"You never really know how these things will go. But we felt the video evidence was pretty compelling."

The decision means Oliver will be back training with his teammates today in preparation for Saturday's match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Highlanders head to Australia on Thursday.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES