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FoxSports commentator and former Wallaby hooker Phil Kearns raised the ire of Irish people the world over following bizarre comments made during the Australia Ireland match in Sydney.
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Ireland clinched a series win over Australia following a closely fought third test victory at Allianz Park.
Kearns – who is known for his outspoken commentary – made the comments during a pause in play in the 47th minute.
Kearns appeared to be frustrated at the amount time Ireland were taking before a scrum, a practice the former Wallaby felt the referee should have stepped in on.
Kearns then said: “Fiddle-a-dee, Fiddle-a-dee, Fiddle-a-dee, potato…out the back there having their own little chat.”
It didn’t go down to too well with Irish watching on Fox Sports, among others RugbyPass columnist Neil Best.
Bizarre @Australia commentator on @rugbypass feed has just said “fiddley-dee, fiddley-dee, fiddley-dee, potato” #AUSvIRE If I wasn’t rising above it I would have tweeted #AussieTwat @qantaswallabies @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/yBcO3xezOZ
— Neil Best (@Best6Analysis) June 23, 2018
Many questioned the appropriateness of the comments, which some felt bordered on racism.
https://twitter.com/conor_crean/status/1010484300368744448
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#AUSvIRL Did I just hear fiddle dee dee potato from a commentator? Racist/ethnicist and disappointing. @FOXSportsAUS
— Hamstersaurus Rex (@barrytcotter) June 23, 2018
"Tedalede tedalede potato". According to the Australian commentary team, this is what Ireland are discussing before a scrum….. How do they have a job doing this? #AUSvIRL
— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) June 23, 2018
Did the Aussie commentary actually just say “fiddle-dee-dee, potato”? For fock’s sake. #AUSvIRL #AUSvIRE
— Ted Felton (@tedfelton) June 23, 2018
#AUSvIRL hey phil kearns how do you like them potatoes you dick
— Robert McKenna (@RobDMcKenna) June 23, 2018
#AUSvIRL Hard luck Australia. Deserved to win that game and series. As for the potatoes, will 50% of yours are Irish origin.
— Derek Gray (@malbekh) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/PallMall24/status/1010492095033794565
It’s not the first time Kearns has got on the wrong side of the Irish. At the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand he said the Irish wouldn’t have much to “cheer about” minutes before kick-off between Australia and Ireland’s pool match.
Ireland went on to beat Australia resoundingly.
Kearns represented the Wallabies 67 times and was captain on ten occasions. He was part of the famous World Cup winning team of 1999.
