Israel Dagg has become the latest rugby personality to disagree with a Hurricanes co-owner, calling Troy Bowker’s recent actions and comments “disgusting behaviour”.
Dagg said during his morning radio show on SENZ this morning he fully supported former All Blacks teammate TJ Perenara, who has taken a stance against Bowker’s words.
“I totally don’t agree with what he’s come out and said,” Dagg said.
“He’s got to understand that 80 per cent of the Hurricanes franchise are Pacific or Māori ethnicities. He’s got a lot of Pacific Islanders in that team and we’ve already seen yesterday with TJ Perenara going out and front-footing it.
“I’m not surprised TJ has done that. He’s very passionate about his heritage and where he comes from.
“In this day and age that we live in, there’s still people out there who think it’s okay to go down those kind of lines.”
Bowker slammed a LinkedIn post by Sir Ian Taylor earlier this week, which came in response to National leader Judith Collins’ suggestion to have a referendum on the name of the country.
“What a load of absolute nonsense! Another example of European NZers not being proud of their own ancestors and sucking up to the left Māori loving agenda. FFS. Wake up NZ,” he wrote.
Troy Bowker, a shareholder of the Super Rugby franchise, is facing pressure to step away after comments deemed racist.
Bowker and Taylor continued the exchange in the comments with the Hurricanes part-owner at one point asking the animation entrepreneur: “What percentage Maori are you?”
“Please show some pride and respect for the achievements of your own ancestors like the Maori do. Worshiping Maori like you are doing is disrespectful to your other ancestors,” he continued.
Since coming under fire for his comments, Bowker has been screenshotted on social media defending himself from critics because he’s “rich as f***”.
Dagg slammed the Hurricanes co-owner's behaviour.
“The thing about it is he’s pretty much just said just because he’s rich, blah blah blah, he can do what he wants. I’ve heard some comments about him saying that,” Dagg said.
“I totally don’t agree with Troy. I don’t know all the details of the situation, I know there are a lot more underlying factors, but from what I’ve read and what I’ve heard I think it’s disgusting behaviour.”
The Hurricanes are yet to comment on the situation but in a statement yesterday, New Zealand Rugby said they do not support Bowker’s comments either.
"The comments made by Troy Bowker are not supported by New Zealand Rugby in any way and are not reflective of the values of our organisation and the aspiration we have for our game across the country," CEO Mark Robinson said.
"Although we have no jurisdiction over the makeup of our Super Rugby club boards, we are in dialogue with the Hurricanes to provide support as required."
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