Waratahs player Harrison admits racial remarks

SYDNEY - Waratahs lock Justin Harrison has admitted making racially offensive remarks against a black South African player during last weekend's Super 12 match against the Cats.

Centre Nathan Grey had initially been named as the Waratahs player who made the racial slur, but denied the allegations through his management company yesterday.

Harrison owned up to making the remarks at Cats winger Chumani Booi after Grey said he had heard them on the field during a ruck.

"I'm extremely disappointed for any grief and hurt that I have caused Chumani Booi over a comment I made during the match," Harrison said yesterday.

"I offer a public apology to Chumani, the Cats, Nathan Grey, my team-mates and the community for what I said.

"I'm also disappointed that Nathan's name has been dragged through the press when he is innocent."

The New South Wales Rugby Union has yet to take any official action against Harrison, with chief executive Fraser Neill saying he was waiting on full reports about the incident.

"We considered standing Justin down or conducting our own hearing, but believe due process must be followed, which means waiting on a report from the DDO [designated disciplinary official] based in South Africa."

Earlier, Grey strenuously denied the allegations over which the Cats have reportedly lodged an official complaint of racism to the Super 12 governing body Sanzar.

"Reports carried by the media in Australia and in South Africa claiming that I had made a racially offensive remark to Cats winger Chumani Booi are absolutely incorrect," Grey said.

"The reports have caused me and my family great distress.

"I am personally offended by the reports because I consider remarks of the type I am alleged to have made to be appalling in every respect.

Grey said he would attempt to contact Booi and Cats chief executive Andy Turner to reassure them the offensive remark was not made by him. "I did hear a racially offensive comment made in a ruck that followed a tackle I made on Booi.

"I was so concerned that I approached Chris Whitaker [the Waratahs captain] after the match and told him that I was greatly appalled at what I had heard."

Grey, who retained a law firm to represent his interests, said he would welcome the opportunity to appear before a tribunal to clear his name.

But then came the Harrison announcement.

Grey, who has played 82 matches for the Waratahs and 35 tests for Australia, provided a written report to Waratahs management denying any involvement in the remark.

- AAP