Clive Woodward: Warren Gatland has got it wrong over Conor Murray incident

Lions coach Warren Gatland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Warren Gatland has had a really good tour but he's got it wrong over this Conor Murray 'row'. There is no case to answer and the Lions should move on quickly because there are much more pressing matters this week.

Watching the game I saw nothing untoward. I don't recall Murray reacting to any of the challenges - and none of the fans around me mentioned anything.

After the match there was no sense of controversy from former players or coaches that I spoke with - on either side of the fence.

The idea of some alleged pre-meditated attempt to injure Murray had not registered until those comments by Gatland. I saw no injury, no offence and no hint of a citing.

Murray is an extremely good box-kicker, even if he overplayed his hand on Saturday, possibly under orders. When he shapes for a kick everybody has a good idea of what is coming and no team is just going to let that happen unchallenged.

The All Blacks' job is to somehow get to Murray and either tackle man and ball or charge down the kick. It's not an exact science and these days you have to barge past the blockers first.

Or if a defender can't get through those front-on blockers they must take a wider route, which means they approach the would-be kicker from the side.

As long as - this is important - the challenge isn't high, late or from an offside position, the All Blacks are perfectly entitled to do what they can to disrupt Murray.

You could attempt a man-and-ball smothering tackle when both legs might take the brunt of your challenge. You might dive at the kicking foot or leg or, alternatively, aim for the ball itself with an old-fashioned charge-down.

At all times a defender will also be aware that the guy shaping to kick might actually try to dummy you and make a break. If a player is in possession he is an opponent who needs tackling.

The kickers know the score. When kicking out of hand, a player opens himself up a little. There is always that fleeting moment when you will be operating on one leg.

Your instincts factor it in when deciding whether to kick. Have you got enough time? Is this really on? Have I got this wrong? Do I need to bail out here and just take the tackle?

Did the All Blacks target Murray in the sense of him being a big player whose box-kicking needed to be stopped at source? Yes, like every side in the world would target such a player. Did they target Murray as an opponent they wanted to deliberately injure? No, I don't believe that for a second.

On the subject of alleged foul play there was a very amusing moment before the game when I found myself on stage being interviewed with Graham Henry, Tana Umaga and Richie McCaw.

Lots of hugs, handshakes and smiles 12 years after it all got a bit heated on the 2005 tour, especially over one incident. We all moved on years ago and it is great to see Tana now being a successful coach.

The compere then spoke to some of the All Blacks non-playing reserves about their highlights as teenagers from 2005. Beauden Barrett's brother, Jordie, enthused about Dan Carter's superb display in the second Test at Wellington.

Then we got to reserve flanker Matt Todd. What was your greatest memory from 2005, Matt? 'Ah, that would be when Tana spear-tackled Brian O'Driscoll!'

Well done, Matt, for such an honest answer. Outside the Lions' first try on Saturday, it's probably the tour highlight so far.