3:07pm, 23 June 2018

FoxSports commentator and former Wallaby hooker Phil Kearns raised the ire of Irish people the world over following bizarre comments made during the Australia Ireland match in Sydney.

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Ireland clinched a series win over Australia following a closely fought third test victory at Allianz Park.

Kearns – who is known for his outspoken commentary – made the comments during a pause in play in the 47th minute.

Kearns appeared to be frustrated at the amount time Ireland were taking before a scrum, a practice the former Wallaby felt the referee should have stepped in on.

Kearns then said: “Fiddle-a-dee, Fiddle-a-dee, Fiddle-a-dee, potato…out the back there having their own little chat.”

It didn’t go down to too well with Irish watching on Fox Sports, among others RugbyPass columnist Neil Best.

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Many questioned the appropriateness of the comments, which some felt bordered on racism.

'Fiddly dee, fiddly dee, fiddly dee, Potato' from the Australian commentary…. Is this the 1950s? #AUSvIRL — Conor Crean (@conor_crean) June 23, 2018

#AUSvIRL Did I just hear fiddle dee dee potato from a commentator? Racist/ethnicist and disappointing. @FOXSportsAUS — Barry Cotter (@barrytcotter) June 23, 2018

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"Tedalede tedalede potato". According to the Australian commentary team, this is what Ireland are discussing before a scrum….. How do they have a job doing this? #AUSvIRL — Cornflake (@Cornf1akesCrib) June 23, 2018

Did the Aussie commentary actually just say “fiddle-dee-dee, potato”? For fock’s sake. #AUSvIRL #AUSvIRE — Ted Felton (@tedfelton) June 23, 2018

#AUSvIRL hey phil kearns how do you like them potatoes you dick — Robert McKenna (@RobDMcKenna) June 23, 2018

#AUSvIRL Hard luck Australia. Deserved to win that game and series. As for the potatoes, will 50% of yours are Irish origin. — Derek Gray (@malbekh) June 23, 2018

Seriously @FOXRugbyLive Phil Kearns is adding about as much to this telecast as someone who has never seen a game of rugby before… Except he throws in racist slurs with his ill-informed opinions — Paul Malbon (@PallMall24) June 23, 2018

It’s not the first time Kearns has got on the wrong side of the Irish. At the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand he said the Irish wouldn’t have much to “cheer about” minutes before kick-off between Australia and Ireland’s pool match.

Ireland went on to beat Australia resoundingly.

Kearns represented the Wallabies 67 times and was captain on ten occasions. He was part of the famous World Cup winning team of 1999.