STEVE “Blocker” Roach has come under fire from angry fans after he used the phrase “jungle ball” to describe the New Zealand Warriors’ style of play during their match against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday afternoon.

The former Balmain Tigers icon used the phrase while commentating on TV midway through the first half as he praised 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.”

Roach’s call left plenty of viewers outraged, because they took it to have a racist connotation.

While Roach clearly wasn’t intending to be demeaning towards any Warriors players, his unfortunate phrasing sent the Twitterverse alight. Former Warrior and New Zealand international Monty Betham was one who took exception to the wording.

Jungle ball < Warriors ball #FarkMe — Monty Betham (@MontyBetham13) July 23, 2016

Uhhh Blocker you cannot say "jungle ball" .. Bloody hell #NRLRaidersWarriors — Ben Appley (@BenAppley) July 23, 2016

Who hired Roach again? Fair dinkum. Every time he commentates a Warriors game..."jungle ball" gets a run. #JobsForTheBoys — Klopp's Kop (@MickThePerm) July 23, 2016

So Aussie NRL commentators call Warriors playing 'jungle ball'?!! — Sevy (@graemeseverinse) July 23, 2016

When the problematic commentator says we're used to seeing he warriors play "jungle ball" #NRLRaidersWarriors pic.twitter.com/nrb97S4dcE — fully sic (@rymickyd) July 23, 2016

NRL commentators please don't say "jungle ball" — Chris Garry (@TheChrisGarry) July 23, 2016

Hey @NRL. How about you advise commentators to quit it with the jungle ball comments? — Shaneomac (@Shaneomac82) July 23, 2016

The ex-NSW and Australia prop wanted to express how the Warriors are renowned for their ad-lib footy, often throwing the ball around and being adventurous in attack, but given the large number of players of Maori and Polynesian descent, “jungle ball” wasn’t the most appropriate terminology to use.

Later on in the broadcast after realising his mistake, Roach apologised for his remarks.

Canberra moved into the NRL’s top four for the first time in more than a decade with a 26-22 golden-point win over the men from across the ditch.

The Raiders held a comfortable 22-4 lead with 10 minutes to go but let in three late tries to set up a grandstand finish at GIO Stadium.

Skipper Jarrod Croker scored the match-winning try less than 90 seconds into extra time to seal their fourth consecutive win and overtake Canterbury on the ladder.

Not since 2003 have the Green Machine been placed so high so late in the season, with six games remaining.

Croker, arguably in the form of his career this year, inspired the hard-fought victory with three tries and an assist in front of just under 10,000 fans.

While an entertaining affair, it took a while for both sides to adjust to the cool and windy conditions.

The Warriors were first on the board in the 17th minute, when veteran Manu Vatuvei juggled and dived his way to career try No. 150 — 11 years after scoring his first.

The visitors dominated possession and field position in the first half, but the Raiders somehow went into the break up 12-4. Croker scored his side’s first try and set Joe Tapine up for another in the final three minutes before the siren, converting both for an unexpected lead.

He brought up his double on the hour mark, before Joseph Leilua added another in the 68th minute to go 22-4.

But the Raiders conceded three quick tries — two to Thomas Leuluai and the third to David Fusitu’a with just 70 seconds left on the clock.

Issac Luke’s sideline conversion levelled the scores at 22-22 to send them into extra time.

It’s the third instance in four games the Warriors have lost in golden point.

The Raiders play South Sydney on Sunday week at ANZ Stadium, while the Warriors — who lost Vatuvei to an ankle injury — host Penrith on Saturday.

— with AAP