Paddon cops flak over TV ad

Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon has revealed he copped a barrage of social media abuse after a television ad featuring him aired during the rugby test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Sky Television cut away from the game coverage at Eden Park on the completion of the All Blacks' haka and played a Hyundai commercial featuring the WRC star.

Fans were outraged at missing reaction to the traditional pre-game ritual and vented via social media — some directing that anger at Paddon.

“I certainly had no idea about it,” Paddon told the Herald. “The first thing I knew about it was when I was copping a whole lot of personal attacks about it through social media. It had nothing to do with me. It is a Hyundai-run commercial and I understand they had nothing to do with the scheduling either.

“Hyundai and myself have been hung out to dry a little bit there.”

Sky TV announced earlier in the week that they have agreed not to cut away after the haka during the second and third tests in the series.

A frustrated Paddon didn't react to the criticism online but warned people to think before flying off the handle in future. “I think people need to be a little understanding about how these things work before they criticise or start pointing fingers.”

— Dale Budge