Wallabies duo Nic White and Ned Hanigan took the opportunity to fire shots back at French referee Mathieu Raynal in a controversial incident at the Australian Open.

White and Hanigan were invited to fire tennis shots at a moving target that had a photo of Raynal during an interview at the Australian Open on Friday.

A clip of the publicity stunt was initially shared on social media by broadcaster Stan Sport and then later deleted after it received backlash.

Nic White and Ned Hanigan targeting Mathieu Raynal at the Aussie Open.

Stan deleted the clip. pic.twitter.com/HpAl5ZPr0T

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) January 28, 2023

Raynal came under criticism last year for penalising Australian flyhalf Bernard Foley for time wasting in the closing stages of a clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks in the Rugby Championship. Leaked audio of the incident showed Raynal warning Foley multiple times, before deciding to penalise the playmaker.

The All Blacks scored a winning try from the subsequent scrum, dashing Australia’s hopes of winning the 2022 southern hemisphere title.

World Rugby have not yet announced any action against White and Hanigan, despite a recent crack down on the abuse of match officials.