Sky Sport commentator Joe Wheeler has apologised to Highlanders flanker Kazuki Himeno after comments he made following the team's 33-12 win over the Crusaders on Friday night.
The Japanese international had a superb outing in his first start for the team in Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and was an important cog in the team's win over the previously unbeaten Crusaders.
Speaking to Highlanders first five-eighth Mitchell Hunt after the match, Wheeler praised Himeno's performance, but did so 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.
It was a moment that did not go down well with the audience, with many taking to social media to voice their concerns about what had happened.