The haka gesture has drawn mixed reactions nationally and internationally, including a text to Hawke's Bay Today which read: "James Corrigan, the UK is so right. That haka is disgusting. Absolutely in bad taste, no common sense. Can't believe rugby bosses allowed it. Very sick."
Hewitt says the writers of the haka had since depicted what the Blues' traditional war dance was all about.
"In terms of timing, yep, you could link it to that unfortunate terrorist's attack but only if you want to look at it that way and sensationalising that from a sport into a situation that was unfortunate in its own way.
"People don't know what haka is about will make all sorts of assumptions."
The 48-year-old former Hawke's Bay Magpies captain says the Blues' haka, which Magpie pivot Ihaia West led, was in respect to the game and the touring Lions.
"You know the gesture on [Tuesday night] from the Highlanders to present a sword . . . could we take that as passing a weapon to somebody to slaughter us?"
Hewitt, who wasn't shy to eyeball rival players as a leader, says the haka also is open to translation.
In 1997, his then English rookie counterpart, Richard Cockerill, had a face off with Hewitt in a match against the All Blacks.
The Maori All Blacks will perform their haka, Timatanga, which the late Whetu Tipiwai of Hawke's Bay composed before the team performed it for the first time in 2001.
Hewitt says drew parallels with watching the one-minute standoff from the French against the Baby Blacks before their World Championship semifinal match in Georgia this week where it could be interpreted as disrespectful.
"Well, no one was going to back down and they got on with the game and the New Zealand Under-20s came away with a win so, I think, everything has to be put in context because it's a sport."
Hewitt says Kiwis - akin to Samoans, Tongans and Fijians - have a way of representing their nation and haka is part of the New Zealand culture.
"It's unfortunate that it's taken out of context."
He says there are various ways teams run on to fields, get into a huddle or take position in a line to face the haka.
In 2011, he recalls how France created a formation in the shape of an arrow and players held hands - "so the All Blacks have a haka".
"It's part of what defines us as a nation."
Hewitt believes the haka is a critical gesture of unification among New Zealand teams and an X-factor for one of the most successful sporting teams (ABs) in history.
The haka used to be traditionally performed to awaken the fighting spirit of a warrior. Its injection into rugby can be traced back to the 1988-1989 Natives team who also were the first to play in a black jersey with a silver fern on the chest.
Today rugby teams adopt it for a similar reason - to throw down the gauntlet to the opposition as well as awaken their own ferocious wairua (spirit), according to the All Blacks media guide.
