The Brumbies were satisfied but NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie expressed surprise at Wallabies captain George Gregan's suspension for only one Super 14 game after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle.

Gregan's exemplary disciplinary record helped the veteran Brumbies halfback escape with the one-match ban for a nasty-looking spear tackle on Highlanders winger Richard Kahui in Saturday night's loss at Canberra Stadium.

Gregan pleaded guilty at the SANZAR hearing and conceded the tackle "went pear-shaped very quickly", but was full of remorse and told the hearing he had apologised to Kahui at the time and again after the game.

"It's one of those instances where you'd like to take your time back, but you couldn't. It happens very quickly," he said.

"I've been on the receiving end of a couple of those and it's terrible."

The 33-year-old felt missing the Brumbies' crucial final-round match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday was sufficient punishment given his outstanding disciplinary record over more than a decade of international and provincial rugby.

"I've had two yellow cards previously (in my career) - one in a Test match and another way back in 1996, so I had a very good record there," he said.

Nevertheless, McKenzie appeared miffed at the suspension after having Waratahs flanker Rocky Elsom outed for four games earlier this season for what the NSW coach perceived to be a relatively innocuous striking offence.

Elsom was outed for being the third man to enter a scuffle against the Bulls in Pretoria.

"I've given up trying to work out the machinations of the judiciary," McKenzie said.

"I don't know, I sort of keep saying Rocky got four weeks and didn't actually hit anyone, so I'm not quite sure how these things work.

"I guess that (decision today) sends an interesting precedent for the second time we get a spear tackle of that calibre."

But Gregan's advocate Tony Dempsey said the judiciary panel was right to factor in Gregan's good record over a 122-match Super rugby career.

"They certainly emphasised that his exemplary record had a lot to do with the length of his sentence," said Dempsey, the CEO of the players' association.

"At the end of the day George accepts that it was a fair hearing and a reasonable hearing in the context of all the circumstances.

"He is satisfied with the ultimate decision."

But Gregan's suspension has done little to improve either the Brumbies' or the Waratahs' title chances.

While the fourth-placed Brumbies have the daunting task of needing to conquer the competition leaders and defending champions - or at least secure a bonus point - without Gregan and injured five-eighth Stephen Larkham in order to clinch a playoff spot, NSW is banking on the Crusaders losing to enhance the Waratahs' prospects of hosting the May 27 final.

Patrick Phibbs will replace Gregan and partner five-eighth Gene Fairbanks in a first-time halves pairing for the Brumbies.

"It's a good test for them and it all comes down to communication," Gregan said.

"We've experienced this year times when people were out - Stephen Larkham out and Matt Giteau out - and it's a matter of everyone stepping up and being clear and concise on the field."

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