All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has called for a ceasefire in verbal warfare with Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika which has plunged trans-Tasman rugby relations to an all-time low.
All the wash-up from Bledisloe Cup 3:
» LORD: Nick Phipps shines
» Eight talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY player ratings
» Read the match report
» Re-live the action with our live blog
» Watch the highlights
Refusing to be gagged, Cheika on Sunday wasn’t backing down after Hansen accusing him of “hijacking” New Zealand’s Test world-record celebrations.
In a sensational aftermath to Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup series finale in Auckland, Cheika took aim at New Zealand media over being depicted as a clown and then claimed the All Blacks did not respect the Wallabies, suggesting they were involved in the caricature.
Seething after being portrayed as an angry clown in a mock up picture in the country’s biggest paper, the New Zealand Herald, alongside the headline “send in the clowns”, Cheika let rip in an extraordinary rant after Australia’s 37-10 loss at Eden Park.
Hansen hit back at a “sulking” Cheika and said he needed to be bigger than to take a newspaper’s barb to heart and that it was wrong to suggest the All Blacks could dictate what the media did.
But on Sunday Hansen softened his stance and extended an olive branch to Cheika for the good of rugby in Australasia.
“For a long time the relationship with Australia has probably been a little frosty and maybe we need to sit down and have a beer together and sort it out,” Hansen told Australian reporters, describing the Wallabies as a “formidable opponent” and important ally.
“But I think some of it comes down to the fact that the Bledisloe Cup means so much to both teams and when one team’s having a dominant period like we’re at the moment, the other team really gets frustrated.
“It’s how you deal with those frustrations and how you handle yourself when you’re winning, I guess, is important.
“This week we’ve tried to play a pretty straight bat and not tried to aggravate anyone. Our media didn’t help with the clown thing but that’s the media. It’s not us.
“But at the same time you’ve got to look at your own history and your own backyard and there’s been plenty of people who’ve had a crack at (former All Blacks captain Richie) McCaw and so forth.”
Hansen said he had empathy for Cheika.
“I lost 10 Tests in a row with Wales and it was tough. Of course you get hurt by it,” he said.
“It’s how you deal with the adversity that’s important.”
Whether or not Cheika buries the hatchet remains to be seen.
He was still stewing upon his arrival back at Sydney airport on Sunday.
“Why would you let the opposition call your team clowns and mock the jersey? That’s how I feel about it,” he said.
“Maybe others don’t. Maybe that’s not the way. But I’ve never had an Australian jersey so I think it’s something that should be treasured.
“We’re going there for a good contest and I think they (All Blacks) are connected to it (the photo mock up) obviously because they are talking about it.
“That’s my opinion and I’m entitled to voice my opinion, right or wrong.”
Cheika was also upset at not receiving an invitation into the triumphant dressing room after the All Blacks chalked up their unprecedented 18th consecutive tier-one Test match win.
He admitted the Sydney bugging saga had been the spark that set him off, saying he was deeply offended by any inference the Wallabies camp could have been involved in the spying scandal.
Cheika remains furious the bugging report came out in the NZ Herald on the day of the first Bledisloe Test match in Sydney, after All Blacks management had alerted police about finding an electronic listening device in a team room early in the week.
“We had policemen in our offices asking us questions, asking our management questions. That’s serious stuff to be accusing people of and it’s not true,” he said.
“That’s their go-to (newspaper). Nothing happens without that connection.
“That’s my point of view. They don’t have to agree with it. I’m not asking them to agree with it.”
Bakkies
Guest
I suggest you look up the definition of the word 'patronising' in the dictionary and see Hansen's face aside it.
RobC
Roar Guru
Harry I agree. I went to watch the post match to watch something, and someone, to laugh at. By the end of the interview, i said to myself "Yeah." (in agreement with Check)
jaysper
Roar Guru
Thats not a fair statement. You can only play as well as the opposition let you. . The Wallabies attack lacked almost any potency and they were quite poor at the breakdown at times, but their defence was what completely disrupted the ABs game for the first 50 minutes.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Who cares about the cartoon? Its meant to be funny and, yeah, a little mean. So what? An extra layer of skin needs to be grown. . I wonder if this isnt just more deflection? If so, I think its a dangerous strategy for him as it makes it easier to justify sacking him.
Rebellion
Guest
Welfare doesn't count sorry Muz. We prefer offering our kids a good education over a toasted sandwich. Take inspiration from your betters who are lmoving on and diversifying our economy after the cooling of a resources boom while the poor kiwis are being sunk by a malfunctioning dairy industry
Rebellion
Guest
PeterK - it does pay to carry on when your team is dudde by a ref - it's just that the IRB is yet to act on it in the Wallabies favour in the same way Scotland ran out Joubert and South Africa ran out Bryce Lawrence. I still sympathise with Boks supporters after that shocking performance by Bryce during the RWC QF just as I have experienced many other shockers by Bryce in Super rugby. Joubert on the other hand actually gifted the Scots all day during the QF at RWC15 with terrible scrum and offside line officiating in their favour however he still paid the ultimate price. If the NZRFU (IRB) gave the slightest damn about fairness and respect to the Wallabies - Owens and Poite would no longer be plotting their downfall (reffing their matches). Opposing teams should also be allowed to confront the Haka any way they like - the 'respect and keep your distance' rule is an absolute joke and typical of NZ's overbearing influence
Muz
Guest
More dollars to be made in NZ these days Morsie. Get onboard! It is a glorious time indeed.
Muz
Guest
Jake you must be a queenslander then?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Jones and Cheika? Bring in the clowns alright....they're circling...
taylorman
Roar Guru
The Herald didn't like him and he certainly cared about that.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It is a bit worrying yes.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Siege mentality is fine. But you can't maintain for eternity. Cheika comes off as the boss that always yells. Quickly the yelling just becomes normal and it loses its impact.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Passion yes. Reason. Sometimes less so.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's constantly playing the victim. But when a call went our way against Scotland he basically said you have to take the good and the bad. As I said, nothing wrong with feeling aggrieved now and then. But it's becoming a very regular thing for Cheika.
Stagman
Guest
Bakkies and Andrew Briggs, seeing the childish comments from you only goes to show you're even more out of touch than Cheika. I get the feeling that your mum still butters your toast and ties your shoe laces for you.........you blokes are special LOL!!!!!!!
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
and tying a few balloon poodles...
Bakkies
Guest
Hansen is to snide to take it as a genuine offer.
Morsie
Guest
No he doesn't, and its clowns like you that are doing everything to generate this myth. From his perspective he is forthright and truthful and this very easy to best up.
Morsie
Guest
You are playing with yourself if the Kiwis like us one bit. They like our dollars and that's about it. Spend some time in New Zealand listening to talk back radio and you'll discover a world of hatred towards Australia.
coldturkey
Guest
I watched the whole interview as well and my read is he knew that he was supposed to be gracious and rational but couldn't keep it together and embarrassed himself and his team.