Tautau Moga is pleasantly surprised Anthony Minichiello escaped NRL suspension this week and plans to honour the senior Sydney Rooster’s milestone 250th match with a win on Sunday.

Moga admitted he expected to be without the veteran fullback for this weekend’s clash with Wests Tigers following Minichiello’s send-off against Canberra for a high shot on Josh Dugan.

The 32-year-old was hit with a grade-three striking charge but was cleared by the judiciary on Wednesday night, allowing him to play on Sunday in his 250th game.

His counsel argued his actions were not strong enough to warrant a striking charge – despite leaving Dugan bloodied and dazed.

And Moga couldn’t be happier, saying he felt he owed his mentor a victory over the Tigers for all the help afforded to the young player this year.

“I seriously thought he was gone,” Moga told AAP on Thursday.

“For sure, it’s great to have him playing – not many players make it to 250 games.

“We’ll have to win for him.”

Moga said Minichiello had introduced him to yoga, fixed his diet and helped him through his first major injury – an ankle complaint which Moga feared might end his season earlier this year.

“I was on a low buzz. I didn’t really know what to do,” Moga said.

“Having senior players like Minichiello and Skidsy (centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall) around me helped.

“They are the ones that pushed me to play this year.

“Because it was my first injury, I didn’t know what to do. I’d never been in that situation before.

“I’ve learned heaps. I’ve had ups and downs.

“On and off the field, (Minichiello) has been great to me.

“Pre-season, he helped me on the field but also off it with my diet – he got me into eating organic stuff.

“He’s a good mentor.”

Rival coach Tim Sheens also expressed his surprise at the verdict.

“(He was) sent off and charged with a grade three (striking), and got off,” Sheens told reporters.

“Certainly have to look to see who that lawyer was.

“It’s got nothing to do with me … at the end of the day, we’re prepared to play who they’ve listed in the team – we’re prepared to play that team. I’m not going to worry about what happens at the judiciary.”