"Jungle" a risky word

Australia.  Football

Fox Sports commentator Steve Roach has come under fire for using the phrase 'jungle ball' to describe the style of play by the New Zealand Warriors during their match against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday.

The former Balmain Tigers player used the phrase mid-way through his commentary on the first half of the game, The Courier Mail reported.

He said it while he was praising the Warriors for forcing another repeat set with a grubber into the Raiders' in-goal area.

'They look pretty structured early on in this game of football, the Warriors,' Roach said.  'We’re used to seeing them play a little bit of jungle ball where they offload the footy at every opportunity, but they’ve been patient so far.'

Viewers were outraged by the comment, with many interpreting it to have a racist connotation.

One Twitter user said: 'Steve Roach - 'jungle ball' eh? Bit of casual racism from the sideline.'

Another commented: 'Who hired Roach again? Fair dinkum. Every time he commentates a Warriors game... 'jungle ball' gets a run.'

Roach reportedly wanted to reference how the Warriors are renowned for their ad-lib football.

He apologised later in the broadcast for his choice of words.

SOURCE