Rugby commentator Gordon Bray ‘deeply regrets’ using the term golliwog during the Bledisloe Cup

RUGBY commentator Gordon Bray says he deeply regrets using the term ‘golliwog’ during Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup clash and has since spoken to Wallabies player Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Gordon Bray was commentating the Wallabies clash.

RUGBY commentator Gordon Bray says he deeply regrets using the term ‘golliwog’ during Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup clash.

The veteran commentator made the comment in the first half when calling a play involving Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Bray has this morning spoken to Polota-Nau, who assured the Channel 10 caller he took ‘no offence to the comments whatsoever’.

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When Polota-Nau was charging the ball up the New Zealand line, Bray said he couldn’t recognise him “with that short back and sides. What happened to the golliwog haircut?”

“Gordon Bray is a highly respected commentator and a very respectful person,” a Network 10 spokesperson said this morning.

“In no way did Gordon intend to cause any harm with his comments and deeply regrets his remarks during last night’s broadcast.

“Gordon has spoken to Wallabies player Tatafu Polota-Nau. Tatafu has assured Gordon he took no offence to the comments whatsoever.”

The comment ignited anger on social media, with many viewers outraged that Bray, who has been commentating rugby for four decades, would use the term.

I still can't believe Gordon Bray mentioned Polota-Nau used to have a "Gollywog" haircut. Embarassing. What century is this? #bledisloecup2018 #AUSvNZL

— Graham (@grc0909) August 18, 2018

It’s halftime and I’m still struggling to get past Gordon Bray using the term “golliwog haircut”. This week just continues to disappoint. #BledisloeCup #AUSvsNZL #racism

— Jessica Currie🌈 (@Jess_M_Currie) August 18, 2018

Will Gordon Bray be returning after the break @channelten ? That type of commentary not acceptable in 2018 #AUSvsNZ #Bledisloe

— Grunta (@gbog65) August 18, 2018

Seriously Gordon Bray! Apologize now #bledisloecup2018

— megan vidler (@meganvidler1) August 18, 2018

#bledisloecup2018 Wow. Gordon Bray should be sent to the sin bin, because that hairstyle comment was foul. @channelten

— Steve May (@maystation4) August 18, 2018

Gordon Bray just said “golliwog haircut” that’s incredibly poor form.

— Adam (@kels_316) August 18, 2018

I reckon old Gordon Bray just got himself in trouble with that haircut comment. #cantsaythat @tensporttv

— Anthony Beckhouse (@AntoBeck) August 18, 2018

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Originally published as Rugby commentator Gordon Bray ‘deeply regrets’ using the term golliwog during the Bledisloe Cup