All Black star Lima Sopoaga has apologised over a contoversial Instagram post.
He initially wrote "hah gayyyyyyyyyyye" on All Black Malakai Fekitoa's Instagram photo of him being kissed by two other rugby players.
Fekitoa's caption reads "These two aren't well" with a cry-laugh emoji.
Sopoaga later posted an apology in the comments section, saying "sorry to anyone who took offence to my comment above. I'm not homophobic but understand how my comment may have been interpreted that way. Chur have a nice day" with a smiley face.
In an RNZ opinion piece Jeremy Brankin asks "why am I reading a high-profile All Black's use of the word "gay" in such a manner in a public forum?"
"Am I really reading this in 2017? All Blacks making derogatory and homophobic comments in a public forum?"
Fekitoa has more than 250,000 followers on Instagram.
In August a Chiefs rugby player came under fire for homophobic comments.
Lock Michael Allardice was heard at a public pool yelling "here comes the gays, here comes the gays" along with other slurs.
He later apologised saying he was "deeply embarrassed".
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is currently undergoing a cultural review into its policies and programmes.
NZR Chairman Brent Impey said the review will consider what further action is needed to "build a culture of respect and responsibility in the professional rugby environment".
A review panel was announced by the NZR board in 2016, and outcomes of the review are expected to be made public in May.
Newshub.
