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Sky commentator Joe Wheeler pokes fun at the Asian accent in a post-match interview. Video / Sky Sport
Sky Sport commentator Joe Wheeler apologized to Highlanders wing Kazuki Himeno following comments he made following the team’s 33-12 win over the Crusaders on Friday night.
The Japanese international had an excellent start in his first start for the team at Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and was an important cog in the team’s victory over the previously undefeated Crusaders.
Speaking to the Highlanders, Mitchell Hunt’s first five-eighths after the game, Wheeler praised Himeno’s performance, but did so with a fake Asian accent.
“It was really impressive, wasn’t it? It was unbelievably good,” Wheeler told Hunt on the live broadcast.
It was a moment that was not well received by the audience, with many taking to social media to express their concerns about what had happened.
In a statement to the Herald, a Sky spokesperson confirmed that Wheeler apologized to Himeno and Highlanders management after the incident.
“Joe Wheeler has spoken to Kazuki and has apologized to him and the team management.
“He absolutely accepts that this is not the standard expected of broadcast equipment.
“Sky is committed to being culturally respectful and we expect the entire crew to do the right thing.”
Wheeler himself took to social media to apologize.
“Tonight I was full! I spoke to @ teikyo_8 (Kazuki Himeno) and apologized to him, the @Highlanders and our Sky team. I absolutely accept that this is not the standard expected of the band team. I have some work to do. . obviously, but I am absolutely committed to doing better, “he wrote on Twitter.
The comments took the spotlight away from an impressive performance by the Highlanders, dominating the game against the Crusaders from start to finish.
Starting the night as 7-1 outsiders, the Highlanders went to Christchurch looking to make their presence felt at the end of a tumultuous week.
Despite six players retiring and others unavailable due to injury, the Highlanders pushed the Crusaders from start to finish, never letting their foot off the gas despite having a comfortable lead for much of the game.
The final 21-point margin was the largest victory over the Crusaders in Highlander history.
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