Rhys Darby scores TV ad with Federer

Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby, famous for playing the Flight of the Conchords' clueless band manager, has scored another ace by teaming up with tennis champion Roger Federer in an ad for sporting giant Nike.

In the commercial, released last week, Darby plays deranged, New Zealand-accented tennis coach Ross Steel, who ambushes Federer late at night and blasts a volley of treacherous shots at the world's top-ranked player. The Swiss star's apartment is damaged in the ensuing slapstick rally, before Darby's character meets his demise.

Darby introduced the commercial in a posting on his MySpace blog on Tuesday, which read: "Only one man can harness the power within to train the world's greatest player ... That man is Ross Steel."

The 34-year-old's career has blossomed since he was cast as the Conchords' manager Murray Hewitt on their hit US comedy series last year, leading to a role in an upcoming Jim Carrey movie. The Conchords' Bret McKenzie told the Star-Times this year that while it was initially a challenge to persuade American cable giant HBO to give him the role, "now they love him more than us".

The Conchords won a Grammy in February for best comedy album, and another album debuted at 3 in the US charts in May. The show's second series is expected to screen early next year.

Federer plays world No 2 Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon men's final.

View Rhys Darby star with Roger Federer in their TV commercial.

- © Fairfax NZ News