Warriors managing director Jim Doyle has expressed disappointment at comments from former Australian international Billy Moore, who used a contentious term to describe the team's style of play.

Speaking on the Fox NRL 360 program on Thursday, Moore was asked in a panel discussion about the Warriors' ability to score points without injured playmaker Shaun Johnson.

"I don't see them losing the ability to still score points," he said.

"They get points because they play that coconut style, Polynesian sort of football... throwing it around."

Doyle described the "coconut" term as unnecessary.

"We're disappointed Billy used that description when he was talking about our team," he said in a statement.

"We're proud of our Polynesian heritage and what Polynesian players and people have done for our club and what they mean to us."

Doyle said it was especially disappointing the comments were made at a time when race issues were in the headlines, particularly with the furore surrounding AFL player Adam Goodes and the fact the NRL has its Indigenous round next week.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith posted a message on Twitter on Friday morning.
Moore has released a statement apologising for his remarks.

"I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone that was offended by my comment regarding the New Zealand Warriors playing style, particularly the Polynesian community – many of whom I played with and am great mates with," he said.

"It was an extremely poor selection of words in my attempt to describe the free-flowing playing style of the Warriors which I deeply regret.

"I understand how my comment may have been interpreted but I would like to stress that it was never my intent to upset or disrespect anyone.

"Again, I offer my unreserved apology to those who took offense to my comment."


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