Kiwi PM’s Bledisloe Cup sledge in response to Alan Jones comments

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has finally addressed comments made by Alan Jones which caused a furious backlash from the public and advertisers, giving the former Wallabies coach a gentle rugby sledge.

• Alan Jones’ 2GB show rolls on despite death threats
• ‘I was wrong’: Alan Jones apologises to Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has played down the controversy over Alan Jones’ comments about her – giving the former Wallabies coach a gentle rugby sledge.

The Kiwi PM has refused to be drawn into commenting on Jones’s on air barrage last week but on New Zealand radio today she finally spoke up.

“I understand that he, of course, used to be closely linked to the Wallabies, so let’s just say I think that revenge is best served through a Bledisloe Cup,” she said.

Jones, 78, who coached the Wallabies from 1984-1988, has apologised for the comments where he suggested Prime Minister Scott Morrison should “shove a sock down her throat”.

2GB broadcaster Alan Jones has received death threats over his comments. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

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Ms Ardern also played them down. “I don’t have an opinion on every single person that says something about me, particularly given this is an Australian commentator,” she said. “We have enough of our own to occupy my time.

“I am a politician, I am open for criticism and of course, we should all be held to account and the idea that any politician could or should be protected, I absolutely rally against that.

“You should see my social media. We sign up for that when we are politicians. I have tried very hard, specifically on this Alan Jones comment, you won’t find me having particularly reacted or responded,” Ms Ardern said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the focus of comments from Alan Jones last week that caused a social media storm. Picture: AP

The controversy, which has already cost 2GB advertisers, was further fuelled by ABC Media Watch last night which aired other comments from Jones’s original broadcast lambasting Ms Ardern on August 15.

“This lightweight New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern is challenging Scott Morrison over climate change. Now I hope Scott Morrison gets tough here with a few backhanders … hasn’t got a clue this woman,” Jones said.

ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland shared the clip on Twitter, sparking a furious response.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was forced to distance himself from Alan Jones’ comments during the week. Picture: AAP

“Backhander is absolutely a gendered threat — reserved for men to keep women in line. It’s vile and repulsive. No Australian broadcaster should tolerate this language,” one Twitter user wrote.

Jones responded on air this morning. “There is a story around today that fresh audio has emerged of me criticising New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern which is not the case.”

“I’ve not made any new remarks about Prime Minister Ardern. The audio that they’re playing was contained in the same broadcast last Thursday.

“On Friday I apologised unconditionally for those comments.

“I wrote to the prime minister privately to indicate that of course I meant no harm to her.

“Her office has replied most courteously to my letter,” he said.