Pablo Matera cleared to play for Crusaders in final against Blues

Crusaders have received a major boost ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Auckland Blues as former Argentina captain Pablo Matera declared available for the weekend's encounter.

Matera was yellow carded twice during the 19th and 31st minutes in the semi-final game against Chiefs by Australian referee Nic Berry after his shoulder came in contact with the head of Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland.

He faced an independent disciplinary hearing chaired by lawyer Nigel Hampton and was cleared of further charges.

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence in relation to the four yellow cards and having considered the evidence and submissions on behalf of the player, together with the surrounding circumstances, the committee was satisfied that there was no pattern of persistent offending by the player which was of concern," the panel said in a statement.

"Two of the yellow cards were given for technical offences (that is, not foul play) and those two technical offences were of a different nature to each other.

"The remaining two yellow cards again were for offences of a different nature and showed no pattern of concern."