Sydney Roosters enforcer Zane Tetevano has been rubbed out of the NRL preliminary final against Brisbane despite having his high-tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary.

Tetevano on Tuesday night successfully argued his tackle on Gold Coast’s Ben Nakubuwai was careless rather than the more-serious charge of reckless.

Found guilty of a grade-three careless offence, which carries a one-match ban, he will be free to play in the Roosters’ second finals game in week two or week three.

“I’m grateful at being able to plead my case. I’m stoked about the outcome,” Tetevano said.

“Foremost, I want to apologise to Ben and I knew that I had a minor error in my tackle technique.”

Tetevano was charged with a grade-three reckless high tackle by the match review committee and was facing a five-match ban if found guilty.

In a marathon hearing at Rugby League Central which stretched over two hours, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of a careless high tackle.

NRL prosecutor Anthony Lo Surdo argued that Tetevano raced out of the line and planted his feet before launching himself at the head and neck of Nakubuwai.

He argued Tetevano should have been able to foresee he would make contact with the head or neck but proceeded with the tackle anyway.

Nakubuwai was knocked unconscious for one to two minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and had no recollection of the incident.

However, Tetevano’s defence counsel James McLeod successfully argued the hit by the Roosters’ prop was “close to being a perfect tackle” however misjudged the height.

He denied Tetevano was trying to launch himself at Nakubuwai’s head and was attempting to drive through the tackle.