New Zealand coach Graham Henry believes it is time to “move on” and stop dwelling on the spear tackle on Brian O’Driscoll during the opening Lions Test last summer.
The Irishman was left with a dislocated shoulder after he was tackled by All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu after a minute’s play in Christchurch, with suggestions they deliberately targeted the tourists’ influential player.
New footage has given a different perspective on the challenge, but Henry - whose side tours Ireland and Britian next month – wants the issue to be forgotten and is annoyed by the continued debate.
He told Sky Sports: “I haven’t seen it and quite frankly I think we should let it go and move on. I think it’s ridiculous, quite frankly, and I’m disappointed it’s continuing.
“Nobody went out intentionally to hurt anybody. It’s unfortunate it happened and we felt sorry for Brian O’Driscoll at the time, and it is time – sensibly - that we moved on.”