The Blues have held off naming their team for Friday night's match until tonight, probably partly because of the sentence hanging over their midfielder and partly because of theinjuries which have struck them in the past week.
Had Moala, who has performed well for the Blues this season, been convicted, he wouldn't have been able to travel quite apart from whatever action his employers the Blues and New Zealand Rugby had decided to take. Those convicted of a crime need a special visa to travel to Australia, and, with the game only days away, Moala and the Blues would have run out of time to apply for one.
A statement from the Blues today said: "With the judicial process complete, there remains an employment process to be concluded by the Blues and New Zealand Rugby over the next few weeks.
"Meantime, George will be available for selection and continue to receive professional support in his personal development."
Moala's power at second-five outside Dan Bowden is a big part of why the performance of the Blues' backline has improved in recent weeks. The Blues' scored only their second win of the season last weekend - a 41-24 victory against the Force at Eden Park.
