All Blacks issue second apology over social media gaffe

The All Blacks and the NZR have issued a second apology online following on from the social media backlash surrounding their International Women's Day tweet this week.

A tweet put out on Tuesday as part of International Women's Day was heavily criticised on various social media platforms as it only featured All Blacks players and didn't feature a single Black Ferns player, Black Ferns Sevens player, nor indeed any female presentation.

The use of Sevu Reece in one of the pictures was also criticised, with the winger having previously been arrested on charges of assault against his partner during a night out in 2018. While a judge ultimately discharged Reece without conviction, it was enough for Irish provincial side Connacht to tear up his contract ahead of his arrival in Ireland.

On Wednesday the NZR tweeted their first apology saying: "We didn’t get it right and we apologise - our entire rugby whanau are so proud of our Black Ferns and all our wahine, in everything that they do on and off the pitch."

After being criticized for not posting the apology on the larger All Blacks Twitter account, a second apology has since been issued on the far larger All Blacks platform from which the initial tweet emanated. "We've stopped, listened, and we agree. We didn't get it right with our celebration of international women's day and we apologise.

"The Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens continue to inspire people around the world - not just with their achievements on the field, but the way they represent the sport off the pitch.

"This is the year of women's rugby with Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse, Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 and Rugby World Cup 2021 playing in 2022. We are behind you every step of the way. "

Despite the secondary apology, many Twitter users complained that it had taken too long and that the offending Tweet had not been deleted fast enough.