Sports Minister Murray McCully is this weekend expected to tell former All Black Andy Haden he is no longer a Rugby World Cup ambassador following inappropriate comments about rape.
A spokesman for Mr McCully said the minister had tried to call Haden last night but was unable to get through. He would try again during the weekend.
Haden this morning told NZPA he had no comment.
Haden previously survived a sacking when he apologised for causing offence with his claim on Sky TV's Deaker on Sport programme that the Crusaders rugby franchise had race-based selection policies which restricted recruiting to only three "darkies".
On the same programme this week he commented on historic sex allegations against former All Black Robin Brooke, made by two unnamed women, one of whom subsequently laid a complaint with police.
"There's a bloke called Hugh Grant. He got into a bit of trouble like this and I think if the cheque bounces sometimes, they only realise that they've been raped, you know, sometimes," he said.
Haden said there were two sides to every story.
"It's an equal society now, some of these girls are targeting rugby players and they do so at their peril today, I think."
Mr McCully yesterday said it was not possible to combine the roles of television rugby shock-jock and 2011 ambassador.
He was "naturally disappointed" to again be in a situation where Haden's comments had provoked public controversy.
"It is the role of 2011 ambassadors to promote the outstanding programme of activities planned for next year, not to provide a major distraction from them," he said.
Rape support groups have criticised Haden and Prime Minister John Key, who is visiting China, has said he intends talking to Mr McCully about the latest controversy.
NZPA