Steve Hansen's still dirty he wasn't named World Rugby Coach of the Year

Really? You think Hansen really cares that much? Eddie gave Cheika cheek also, lots of it. Wonder what he was resentful about?? Your coaches have been dishing it out for years...not just in rugby either. Jones was a much better contender for Coach of the Year than Cheika. Cheika winning it has made that particular accolade a joke, especially with Jones then taking over the Poms and winning 3 - 0 away against the home team. No sorry Hansens not upset about it because now he knows it actually doesn't mean anything. I can only hope after tonight's thrashing Mr Lord might now write an article about the true meaning of the "Coach of the Year" award and how Cheika winning it has made a mockery of the whole thing.

Maybe hansen doesnt like cheika because he tries to influence referees unlawfully (rugby laws) and is arrogant...any thoughts on that one lord?

Maybe Cheika said something provocative to Hansen after his first win over the AB’s! We kiwis are supposed to be humble in defeat and victory and we expect that of everyone else LOL Hansen is a straight talker but I don’t see him as a verballer but I think he saw a chance in the England series and is obligated to try for any advantage he might get for his team, just like the players. As Cheika put it at the time, kick a guy whilst he’s down - yes and try and keep him there. I think it worked judging from Cheika's response, under big pressure at the time and whose beginning excellent win/loss record is now reverting towards the mean ordinary of recent Australian coaches. Cheika needs to build a team around the upcoming talent he has, Giteau OK but bringing AAC and Mitchell back may work for this one test but not for the future. It’s a tough balance, needing results now but ultimately team building ends up being best . There’s talent DHP McMahon Kerevi and surely one of those big engine rook locks will make the grade. One of Hansen’s strengths has been trusting his new talent, takes a lot of guts as a coach, with the kind of responsibility on them that we don’t know

I tend to agree with this analysis. David's faux sense of grievance that Hansen was somehow dudded provides the basic premise to his theory that the AB Coach has been aggrieved by this injustice and is now intent on taking it out on Cheika any chance he gets. I disagree with this because it makes assumptions about the mans personality which I don't think are supported by his actions, demeanour, and comments in the media. I do think however that he does indulge in mental games (he is an ex-cop, after all), and perhaps he perceives some 'fragility' there in the personality of his counterpart. He may from time to time, choose to exploit that if he saw some advantage in it. That would only be an assumption on my part, of course - much like this story.

I would say that Hansen has some experience of being 'under the pump', either as head coach of a certain NH team, or as assistant coach of the All Blacks, particularly in 2007, as you may recall.

Actually, this award is a bit of a slap in the face for Australian Rugby. Basically in granting Cheika the Award they are saying he dramatically over-achieved in getting Australia to the final of the RWC and Hansen didn't over-achieve in coaching the team that won it.

I agree Mick. A man to be respected and revered, accolades are only that, accolades, does not speak to the man's character.

Don't forget Diego's Hand Of God.... Where are the Roarer Englishmen when you need to tease them? (For the record, I find Maradona despicable)

Yes, this is true. I seem to recall they were somewhat concerned and Hansen has even addressed this issue with the press over the years. He has spoken about his learning experience this way.

There you go, Chook! I don't disagree that Hansen would have been a good person to win it. My point is that assuming he is pissed seems out of place. And Chook, to your delight, our only white peacock hen had one chick yesterday. One little white chick. The odds are very poor for them as they are very visible to hawks and even coyotes. We have not yet seen a white chick survive to adulthood. We have no idea how this white hen came to be. We call her Lady. Fortunately, the local Pumas don't come near our home to eat Peacocks... There is no rugby team called Peacocks yet. Maybe the California based Super Team will be called like this. Who knows?

Glad to see Auz media having Cheika's back David. It's high time. And I know throwing pot shots back at Hansen is probably not the best way, I do see your intent in the end. But I am commending him as a brilliant coach you might say,unjustly done in by the powers that be you might say. But it still revolves around Hansens recent media statements. I see what you did there..?? Keep it up and inspire greatness in the team through your articles. Clickbait without a measure of sustainable foundation of thoughtfull wisdom can dull and demoralize. Be blessed David. Looking forward to your next article.

I think Cheika is going to have to pull finger if hes going to retain his title this year, at the moment Eddie and Shag are miles ahead,.

Yeah he just needs another trick if he wants to be a contender for the title...??

Oops, think I was being a bit abstract. Don't reckon ZG bullies but he does go on about kiwi's ganging up and bullying. It's on his list of go to's. We may see it shortly if we're lucky.

Who won that this year by the way??

Yes agree, it's a two horse race clearly, one Eddie is probably winning at the moment due to the 'improvement' factor that seems to prevail lately. No one else is close.

that is not the truth , if u look at japan's performance in the world cup. they played four and won 3. thier only loss came to scots. but the issue was they played scots after like 4 -5 days from that south africa match. the little turn-around time easily contributed to the loss becoz it was only in the secong half that scots scored their first try (48 , 56 , 64 , 69 , 74). clearly the japs ran out of gas. the fact of the matter maybe JONES was lucky to have a good crop of experienced playes coming together and peaking at the right time. what he manged to do was to put in structures that worked for the Japs , rather than trying to make Japs play to structures that work for auzzy or Nz or another country. also lot of his achievements shud be shared with Borthwick , who devised strategies for the smaller Jap pack to counter the bigger opponents.

'But Hansen was not only overlooked as Coach of the Year, he wasn’t knighted either. A double whammy, especially as Hansen was named Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2014, in his first three years after taking the reins from Sir Graham.' 'And it hurt.' To me, Hansen seems to be about the most laid back, not worried about anything coach I have ever seen. Having won coach of the year three times in a row, & having just seen his team win the RWC back to back, a knighthood or coach of the year probably had about as much significance to him as the Bendigo Nudist Pensioners Glee Club knitting carnival.

Yeah but its far more likely that he doesn't give a toss about the coach of the year award. I believe the trophy he got in 2015 is award enough

Its a difficult one and very similar to man-of-the-match awards. They usually go to a player from the winning side even tho it 2 teams to make a good game. My thoughts at the time were that if you are not awarding it to the winner then surely Argentina showd the most improvement at a WC but 9-10 mths later it should be no longer an issue