Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa: Video resurfaces as Sky commentator Joe Wheeler apologises for use of mock Asian accent

Former rugby player and TV commentator Joe Wheeler. Photo / Getty

An old video has resurfaced in light of last night's incident involving Sky Sport commentator Joe Wheeler, where he made offensive comments in a post-match incident.

Wheeler had to apologise to Highlanders flanker Kazuki Himeno after comments he made following the team's 33-12 win over the Crusaders on Friday night when he praised Himeno's performance in a mock-Asian accent.

"He was leally impressive, wasn't he? He was leally, leally good," Wheeler said to Hunt on the live broadcast.

Sky chief executive Sophie Moloney said the comments were "very disappointing".

"They are not who we are at Sky, and we need to do better. Joey Wheeler has apologised sincerely and is genuinely very sorry and remorseful for his mistake; and we are working closely with Joey and will continue to reinforce what is expected of all of our team. We will learn from this, and we will keep striving to reflect and respect everyone in our community."

His comments didn't go down well with the audience.

Oh my - that over-matesy, ex-player Joe Wheeler just suggested to Highlander Mitch Hunt on live Sky TV that the Highlanders’ Japanese player Kazuki Himeno was “leally impressive, wasn’t he, just leally, leally good” tonight.

— Tim Murphy (@tmurphyNZ) April 2, 2021

Heard and winced at the Joe Wheeler quip live...as someone mentioned more than a bit outta touch and considering the othering of Asians not just historically but currently materialising violently in the pandemic age...plain dumb really. (And not funny.)

— Koro Vaka'uta (@The_KorOcle) April 2, 2021

A video from 2017 has since re-emerged on Youtube, where Wheeler pays tribute to former Highlander Fumiaki Tanaka after he signed with the Sunwolves. His cover of Adele's hit 'Hello' was instead sung as 'Haro'.

The video, posted by Highlanders TV, which was sponsored by KFC, features lyrics such as "Haro from the Japan side" and "I thought we were going to a bar to sing karaoke and sip on sake".

While comments at the time were positive, the tone has changed somewhat after last night's incident.

"Well this did not age well...c'mon mate get with the times! Not very kiwi of you, Not doing yourself any favors'," one user commented.

Former rugby player and TV commentator Joe Wheeler. Photo / Getty

In an earlier statement, a spokesperson for Sky confirmed Wheeler apologised to Himeno as well as Highlanders management soon after Friday night's incident.

"Joe Wheeler has spoken with Kazuki and apologised to him and to team management.

"He absolutely accepts this is not the standard expected of the broadcast team.

"Sky is committed to being culturally respectful and we expect all crew to do the right thing."

Wheeler himself took to social media to apologise.

"Tonight I stuffed up! I've spoken with @teikyo_8 (Kazuki Himeno) and apologised to him and the @Highlanders and our Sky crew.I absolutely accept this is not the standard expected of the sideline team. I've got some work to do obviously, but I'm absolutely committed to doing better," he wrote on Twitter.