Wynne Gray: Move on, Clive - or risk a backlash

No question. On the evidence of the footage presented by Sir Clive Woodward and apparently shown to the citing commissioner, All Black captain Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu should have faced a judicial hearing.

There was enough in that video for independent commissioner Willem Venter to ask himself if the pair had been guilty of a dangerous tackle on Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Once that doubt had been raised he should have sent the duo to the judiciary.

Venter ignored that option, as is his right, and there was no redress for the indignant Lions.

Woodward claimed the foul on O'Driscoll was the only unpleasant moment on tour, but his recall has washed away Martin Corry's stomp in the test, Danny Grewcock's biting, and a couple of incidents in Hamilton against NZ Maori.

Loosehead prop Andy Sheridan missed with a huge haymaker and centre Gordon D'Arcy up-ended Rua Tipoki with a dangerous flip-tackle.

D'Arcy was admonished and penalised, we moved on.

Do the Lions have any recollection of that, or did the absence of damage to Tipoki colour their assessment?

Three times in the day after the test, Woodward attempted to apply pressure on the issue.

His over-active publicity department first summoned the media to a hotel meeting after midnight on the night of the test, where we were told that video had identified the miscreants and their double spear-tackle.

Just after 9am, O'Driscoll detailed his anger about the incident, the lack of a citing and absence of All Blacks sympathy. His coach reiterated his condemnation.

Later, after the Lions shifted to Wellington, Woodward led another attack with the aid of the video, a pointer and his commentary.

Move on Sir Clive. Move on quickly, unless you want to alienate New Zealanders more than you have.

It may be a play for the British and Irish media's affection, but even that appears to have missed the mark. It was an unsavoury incident, granted, but the flawed judicial system everyone agreed to work to on this Lions tour, does not cater for any more action.

No smokescreen or diversion about O'Driscoll can hide the greatest truth about Saturday. The All Blacks played some superb rugby, the Lions were awful. Explain that to your fans and supporters.

If you bang on about the alleged spear tackle much more, you risk a huge backlash.

So far New Zealand has accepted the eccentricities of this visit as the Northern Hemisphere way, the Lions' choice and the latest dodgy chapter of professionalism.

New Zealanders don't empathise with the methods, but they have accepted it. But not the whining.

Spin guru Alastair Campbell suggested the New Zealand media, acting as the 16th man, placed too much pressure on the All Blacks.

He may argue the Lions' latest justified outburst will bond their side more. I believe it will divert their attention from the basics they need to put right.