Report: NZ 36-12 England More match photos

"I have watched it a couple of times and he has hardly touched him," Woodward said. "I don't think it was even a yellow card offence.

"We are disappointed with the decision. I think the touch judge reacted a bit quickly with the crowd going nuts.

"Unless he was absolutely sure it was a huge call and it ruined the game."

Woodward defended Shaw and vowed to fight the decision at a disciplinary tribunal, likely to be held on Sunday.

We are annoyed because we thought we could have won with 15 on the field Clive Woodward

"Everyone back home knows Simon is not a dirty player - he was clumsy, no more than that," Woodward added.

"Their guy killed the ball and I think Simon was just making him aware he shouldn't be there.

"Simon is gutted, shattered by it, and it is clear he doesn't agree with the decision.

"What really sticks in the throat is that last year (in Wellington) Josh Lewsey was stamped on and the guy (Ali Williams) didn't even get a yellow card or a ban by his union."

Woodward praised his side's bravery after Shaw's dismissal left them playing with 14 men for 70 minutes.

"I am extremely proud of the guys," he added. "They really stuck in there and it was a huge effort. Lawrence Dallaglio was just outstanding and led by example.

Either the referee has got to take action or we are going to take action Lawrence Dallaglio

"But we are annoyed because we thought we could have won the Test with 15 on the field."

Dallaglio, livid at the time of Shaw's decision, agreed with his coach the decision "ruined the game."

"At 6-0 and with a penalty to go 9-0 up we were in the ascendancy - we made a very good fist of it early on," he said.

"There were incidents all over the field last week and this week. One of them is a sending-off and the others are not - make up your own mind.

"When their guy was lying all over our ball either the referee has got to take action or we are going to take action.

"We tackled ferociously and hung on in there but Test matches are all about winning and once Simon was sent off we made it very difficult for ourselves."