Lions 2013: Australia claim to be the victims as James Horwill free to play in Sydney decider Pulver, however, said that it was "completely unfair" that Horwill, who had been cleared by judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC the day after the first Test in Brisbane, had been forced to go through another hearing after the IRB appeal the original decision last Thursday. "It was a drawn-out saga that left the Australian captain in complete and utter mental disarray," Pulver said. Proof of that was the image of James on his knees at the end of the match [in Melbourne]. The process is inappropriate and the trauma and anxiety it caused the player is completely unfair. Both ARU representatives on the IRB council, however, were part of the unaminous vote in June 2012 to give the governing body the right to appeal against decisions made by disciplinary hearings in June and November involving tier-one nations. The process was also part of the Lions tour agreement of Australia. The IRB's appeal was heard by judicial officer Graeme Mew, the English-born Canadian, who reviewed the case by teleconference from Toronto - more than 15,000km from Sydney's ANZ Stadium. To add to the logistical complications, the IRB's disciplinary officer, Susan Ahern, prosecuted their case from Moscow. Horwill and his legal representatives, including Australia coach ­Robbie Deans, defended their case at the Wallabies team hotel in Circular Quay in Sydney. Mew concluded that there had been "sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable judicial officer could have reached the decision [to clear ­Horwill]," adding: "Accordingly it could not be said that the judicial officer was manifestly wrong or that the interests of justice otherwise required his decision be overturned." Horwill endured a sleepless night as Mew deliberated the evidence, only discovering the verdict during a weights session at the gym in the Sydney Football Stadium yesterday lunchtime. He said: "The fact that it was unknown was probably the most ­difficult part. You just want to know and that's not only for my sake but for the team's sake as well, we want to be able to prepare as well as we can and to do that we needed clarity. I wouldn't like to see another player go through that but it was fair and thorough. I love what I do and it means a hell of a lot to represent my country and not only to represent but the opportunity to lead in what is probably the biggest game in this country since the 2003 World Cup final. Asked if had had any contact with Jones, Horwill said: "I spoke to him after the game, before I knew there was a citing. I haven't spoken to him since but I'm sure at the end of the series we'll get a chance to sit down and have a beer with all of their ­players, once the job is done for one team. Key to Horwill's successful defence of the IRB appeal was his representation by former New Zealand Rugby Union lawyer Steve Cottrell, who had been hired by the ARU in a bid to bolster Horwill's legal representation during the hearing. Deans said the decision to clear Horwill had still given his squad a boost ahead of the third Test. "We've now got clarity and we can give ourselves the best chance to succeed at the weekend," he said. His work ethic is huge, he will play himself until he can't play anymore and from a players" perspective, that's what they want alongside you." The IRB, which had come under fierce criticism in Australia for its handling of the process, said that it accepted Mew's decision.