Video: Billy Moore in “coconut” Warriors backlash

In a week in which race and racism has been under the spotlight in Australia with the Adam Goodes booing saga, Moore may have delivered the NRL it's own drama.

Now a pundit on popular Fox Sports show NRL 360, Moore said the NZ Warriors “play that coconut style, Polynesian sort of football…throwing it around.”

There was an immediate uproar on Twitter about whether Moore had called Polynesian players “coconuts”

Oh dear...Billy Moore just referred to the Warriors as 'coconut style' throw the football around... #facepalm #nrl360

— Wellington Warrior (@WgtnWarrior) July 30, 2015

"The Warriors play coconut, Polynesian style football" Billy Moore

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) July 30, 2015

WTF! Billy Moore just said the @NZWarriors will keep playing their 'coconut' style of Polynesian play even without @Shaun_Johnson90 #nrl360

— Tony Wright (@TonyWrightNZ) July 30, 2015

After that "coconut" faux pas, I think Billy Moore's #NRL360 prospects might be 1 o clock.

— Michael Minty (@MichaelMinty63) July 30, 2015

@FOXNRL did Billy Moore really just call the Warriors "coconuts " ??

— Jeff (@2229JEFF) July 30, 2015

Billy Moore is Hulk Hogan #NRL360

— James (@WellsNorthShore) July 30, 2015

Billy Moore just call Polynesians coconuts?@FOXNRLLive

— Matthew McKinnon (@Matty_McKinnon) July 30, 2015

Billy Moore's exact words on the @NZWarriors on live TV "They play that coconut style, Polynesian sort of football... throwing it around"

— Tony Wright (@TonyWrightNZ) July 30, 2015

Billy Moore seemingly doesn't follow news and current events. Or AFL. Or cultural sensitivity. Idiot. #nrl360

— Cory (@SmithyInWelly) July 30, 2015

Moore did have his defenders, with plenty saying the comments were misinterpreted.

"Absolutely nothing in it! No intention of racism. Not even a story," said Stuart Hogg on the Veitchy on Sport Facebook page.

Others said Moore simply mis-spoke and that there was nothing untoward intended in what he said.