All Blacks captain cleared of dangerous tackle on Lions skipper O'Driscoll

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AFP) — All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu were cleared of a dangerous tackle in the first rugby Test that put Lions skipper Brian O'Driscoll out of the rest of the tour with a dislocated shoulder.

The decision has angered O'Driscoll who said it was "bizarre" that independent citing commissioner Willem Venter viewed video tapes of the incident and could find "no conclusive evidence" to take action against the All Blacks pair.

The tackle happened close to the sideline and neither the referee nor the linesman saw any reason to take action against the All Blacks.

But O'Driscoll maintained he was the victim of a spear tackle, claiming Umaga and Mealamu picked him up by the legs and drove him head first towards the...