New Zealand Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens has cancelled a public engagement tomorrow after he was criticised for making an inappropriate joke in Dunedin last week.
Sir Gordon, 58, has withdrawn as guest speaker at the Southland Sports Awards tomorrow night after he was censured for the joke he made at the Otago Sports Awards in the Dunedin Town Hall last Friday.
The joke, which talked about removing a woman's bra with, or without, her consent, offended some guests.
The veteran coach, who received a knighthood for his services to rugby last year, apologised in a statement to the Otago Daily Times on Wednesday.
"It was not my intention to cause offence in any way. I sincerely apologise to anyone that was upset. It was a joke, in hindsight, which I should never have used and I am deeply sorry."
Sir Gordon has been replaced by former All Black Justin Marshall at the Southland Sports Awards.
