Sports Super-Rugby

Rugby commentator Joe Wheeler taken off air after mocking accent of Asian player

Rugby commentator Joe Wheeler taken off air after mocking accent of Asian player
Sky Sport commentator Joe Wheeler. Source: Photosport

Former Super Rugby player Joe Wheeler has been taken off air by Sky Sport after his controversial post-match comments mocking an Asian accent last Friday.

Wheeler, a former New Zealand Māori representative, used the accent after the Super Rugby Aotearoa match between the Highlanders and Crusaders.

Speaking with Highlanders first-five Mitchell Hunt, Wheeler referenced the performance of Japan international flanker Kazuki Himeno, who started for the Highlanders for the first time.

Wheeler later apologised on Twitter.

A Sky Sport statement last week reiterated that Wheeler had apologised to Himeno but made no reference to any employment sanction.

The Highlanders will face the Chiefs at 7.05pm Saturday while the Hurricanes will take on the Crusaders at 3.35pm Sunday.

[Source: TV NZ]

FNRL

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
9:50PM
Cowboys vs Roosters
8:00PM
Dragons vs Dolphins
10:00PM
Storm vs Bulldogs
8:10AM
Ireland vs Argentina
11:40PM
Italy vs South Africa
2:10AM
Scotland vs New Zealand
FullTime
Vatukoula 24–35 RA
FullTime
Cakaudrove 5–23 Northland
FullTime
Nasova 33–31 Cakaudrove
FullTime
Yasawa 90–17 NorthernBulls