Sky cuts Mexted 'for criticising NZRU'

Murray Mexted opposes culling teams from the Air New Zealand Cup. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Rugby personality Murray Mexted has claimed he was suspended from the Sky commentary team after criticising plans to cull four teams from the Air New Zealand Cup.

Mexted made the revelation while speaking at a breakfast to Wairarapa businesspeople and his comments were picked up by the Wairarapa Times-Age.

The former All Black No 8 said that after criticising the New Zealand Rugby Union on air, he received a letter from Sky's director of sport, Kevin Cameron, pointing out that the NZRU was a commercial partner of the network and that he should "refrain from being critical".

The Herald contacted Sky Television to seek confirmation of the letter and Mexted's suspension but was told Cameron was in meetings and unavailable.

Mexted was in meetings at his IRANZ international rugby academy and also did not return calls.

But the Herald understands a memo was sent from Sky TV management to producers and commentators three weeks ago asking them to "not cross the line" when it came to criticism of the NZRU, particularly around the decision to drop four teams.

Mexted told the Masterton gathering he had been a commentator for 17 years and was cut from the calling team for the weekend's final between Wellington and Canterbury.

He also reiterated his claim that reducing the teams in next year's provincial championship was the wrong thing to do, telling the 100 people gathered that the move was "bloody tragic" and "short-sighted".

This year Sky was heavily criticised for appearing to bow to pressure from Indian cricket's governing body, changing plans to use Craig McMillan as a commentator when the BCCI kicked up a fuss about his "rebel" Indian Cricket League links.