Motorsport: Hayden Paddon cops flak for TV ad before All Blacks test

Hayden Paddon copped abuse for an ad that played during the All Blacks test. Photo / McKlein Images

Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon has revealed he copped a barrage of social media abuse after a television ad featuring him aired during the rugby test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Sky Television cut away from the game coverage at Eden Park upon the completion of the All Blacks' Haka and played a Hyundai commercial featuring the WRC star.

Fans were outraged at missing reaction to the traditional pre-game ritual and vented via social media - some directing that anger at Paddon.

"I certainly had no idea about it," Paddon told nzherald.co.nz. "The first thing I knew about it was when I was copping a whole lot of personal attacks about it through social media.

"It had nothing to do with me - it is a Hyundai-run commercial and I understand they actually had nothing to do with the scheduling either.

"I think both Hyundai and myself have been hung out to dry a little bit there."

Sky TV announced earlier in the week that they have agreed not to cut away after the Haka during the second and third tests in the series.

A frustrated Paddon didn't react to the criticism online but warned people to think before flying off the handle in future.

"Obviously the situation isn't the best but I think people need to be a little understanding about how these things work before they criticize or start pointing fingers."

Paddon lines up in this week's WRC Poland, which starts on Friday.

The 30-year-old tweeted his congratulations to both Le Mans 24 Hour race winners Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber as well as Emirates Team New Zealand for the success they've had in the past week or so.

Paddon says he hopes to continue the run of Kiwi sporting success this week.