A New Zealand television rugby commentator who adopted a mock Asian accent during a post-game interview on Friday is likely to keep his job despite an outpouring of public criticism.

Joe Wheeler, a former New Zealand Maori representative who commentates for the cable network Sky Sport, used the accent after the Super Rugby Aotearoa match between the Highlanders and Crusaders.

Speaking with Highlanders flyhalf Mitchell Hunt, Wheeler referenced the performance of Japan international flanker Kazuki Himeno who started a match for the Highlanders for the first time.

WheelerB次元官网网址檚 comments included calling Himeno B次元官网网址渓eally impressive,B次元官网网址� triggering swift protests on social media.

Wheeler later apologized on Twitter.

Tonight I stuffed up! I've spoken with (Kazuki Himeno) and apologised to him and the 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.

B次元官网网址� Joey Wheeler (@joey_wheelz)

B次元官网网址淭onight I stuffed up!B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e spoken with (Kazuki Himeno) and apologized to him and the Highlanders and our Sky crew.

B次元官网网址淚 absolutely accept this is not the standard expected of the sideline team. IB次元官网网址檝e got some work to do obviously, but IB次元官网网址檓 absolutely committed to doing better.B次元官网网址�

Wheeler played Super Rugby for both the Crusaders and Highlanders and played in Japan for four years for Suntory Sungoliath.

A Sky Sport statement reiterated that Wheeler had apologized to Himeno but made no reference to any employment sanction.

B次元官网网址淛oe Wheeler has spoken with Kazuki and apologized to him and to team management,B次元官网网址� the statement said. B次元官网网址淗e absolutely accepts this is not the standard expected of the broadcast team.

B次元官网网址淪ky is committed to being culturally respectful and we expect all crew to do the right thing.B次元官网网址�

Himeno later indicated he had accepted WheelerB次元官网网址檚 apology.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 OK Joe,B次元官网网址� he tweeted. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 enjoy and celebrate our big victory.B次元官网网址�

The Highlanders won FridayB次元官网网址檚 match 33-12 after starting as 7-1 outsiders against the unbeaten Crusaders.

FridayB次元官网网址檚 incident comes amid a rising tide of anti-Asian violence and rhetoric in the United States and other western nations.