It’s a given there will be media coverage every time Steve Hansen steps out to speak in New Zealand.
Kiwi sporting fans hang on every word their All Black coach says, as a winner of the Rugby World Cup, six out of seven Rugby Championships, and an 88.5 per cent success rate.
It’s also a given Hansen knows how to rattle Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
What’s not a given is how much better the Wallabies will play in this Rugby World Cup year under new director of rugby Scott Johnson, and a third selector who is yet to be named.
Cheika’s sole selection and sole control status is gone.
If the selections are right, the basics of pass, catch, support, retaining possession, and tackling are raised, and the subsequent tactics are improved as well, Hansen knows Australia will be as big a threat to his team making it three World Cups on the trot as Ireland and England.
So when asked at a Wellington fundraiser if Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks, given the huge depth of talent, the wily Hansen saw the perfect opportunity to fire an early shot across the Wallaby bow.
“Mickey Mouse coaches the Wallabies,” was a bullseye.
With no June window in 2019, that sledge will be hard to beat in the lead-up to Australia’s first international of the year, against the Boks at Ellis Park on July 20, before facing the Pumas in Sydney on July 27, and the back-to-back clashes with the All Blacks on August 10 and 17 in Perth and Eden Park – all before the World Cup kick-off in September.
Two intriguing questions have yet to be answered – will Stephen Larkham, the flicked assistant and attack coach, be replaced, and who will be in the coaching box from now on?
Will the new director of rugby and the third selector?
If they are, there’s every chance Cheika’s explosive nature will be controlled, which will be beneficial to clearer thinking over both the 80 minutes and the media conference post-game.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Let’s face it – Cheika was an explosive player, so it stands to reason he’d be the same as a coach.
Whether or not the latter is in the best interests of the Wallabies could be debated for hours – he is the coach until the World Cup’s completion in October.
How he handles having his wings clipped, how he handles the intrusion of Scott Johnson and the third selector on his once exclusive territory, and how he handles the inevitable future Steve Hansen sledges can only be answered down the track.
There’s one more given – three making decisions sure beats the daylights out of a one-man band.
Kane
Roar Guru
Who said Cheika was down? He has a plan!
Wal
Roar Guru
Full context shows it wasn't a disrespectful line. Fraser was commenting on former Wallabies star Mark Ella's tongue-in-cheek jibe that "Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks to victory". Hansen's rebuttal was typically witty. "They've got Mickey Mouse coaching Aussie," Hansen quipped, according to Stuff. He quickly gave ground to his comment. "Michael Cheika, who by the way isn't a bad bloke, he just gets a bit emotional and as you well know, we thought we'd get him emotional and take his mind off the job. "I think he's got a good side, he does a good job of the coaching, but sometimes he just lets himself down." It shows he has full respect for Cheika, but has found a found a way to get under his skin. So did Eddie Jones a few years ago too.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Kick a man while he is down, call him a childish name, snigger arrogantly at your own ‘joke’ and receive adulation for it from a large part of the country’s rugby community. Says more about them than Cheika.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
you know of course SH was a COP....
Toanuiunoo
Guest
It sounded like a retort to a cheap shot on Shag. An Aussie Journo asking whether “Micky Mouse” could coach the all blacks just as well as he because of the quality of the NZ players and systems thereby implying that shag has had no influence on the quality NZs play. In effect saying he was “Micky Mouse”. He countered back to the Australian Jorno with what he said. Nothing question , flip off response. Blown well out of proportion
Hurles
Roar Rookie
I agree in alot of what you saying playerfromwaybk. I just think name calling is a bit childish and to be honest, thought Hansen would have a bit more intellect than boring name calling. Im not offended at all, just thought he was smarter than that. Maybe I underestimate Hansen though. The clown episode appeared to really strike s nerve.
Playerfromwaybk
Roar Rookie
@craig dear friend, cheap shot? Please, with the utmost of respect, let me tell you that victim hood is not a virtue. Why are you so offended? Hansen also said Cheika is a good guy, everyone knows he’s a good guy, it was a joke mate, move on. As a kiwi, I would love to have Cheika around for a beer and a bbq, why? Because he is passionate about Rugby and he wears his heart on his sleeve. As a coach, this trait my not endear him to the media, but it means he is an honest man, I would love to meet him, so would all of my Aussie mates. I respect Check’s for everything he has achieved, and let me tell you he is not done yet! It seems everyone has written him off, you included, not me, not for one moment. Don’t give up on your national coach, we as a nation of Kiwis know what he is capable of, hence why we respect him, but just like all mates, he is not immune to copping some stick.
Playerfromwaybk
Roar Rookie
Haha what happened there? those are meant to be exclamation marks not question marks lol.
Playerfromwaybk
Roar Rookie
Cheers Riccardo????
Craig
Guest
World of difference between having a 'dig at your mates' and taking a snide cheap shot at an admittedly struggling peer. I imagine Hansen would be embarrassed that his remark went public... or perhaps not.
Lano
Roar Guru
Good point. Imagine the options for Hooper: 6, 7, 11, 12, 13.... But I’d still like to know....
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Can't be disrespectful, when you don't have any respect for the person.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Spot on mate. Trying to play the victim here is probably a little sanctimonious. Besides this was a speech at a charity gig and the quip was a response to a dig from a former Wallaby about his coaching credentials. I like these little by-plays with the season about to start in a World Cup year...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
It worries me Hansen got the nickname "Shag". ? Any ideas ?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
I didn't think so - you can draw a straight line from Mickey's to Cheika's emotional characters.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
SHAG would floor cheika, with the latter to blame the ref for an early stoppage.
soapit
Guest
doubt it. what if theres more than two options?
Playerfromwaybk
Roar Rookie
C’mon fellas, it’s the Aussie way to have a dig at your mates. Aussie’s love to have a dig at the Kiwis and vice versa. My mates try to take the piss outa me every day but rest assured I can give as good as I get, we have a laugh and move on. Drew’s virtue signalling is a little bit much in my view, he should have just retorted with his own joke, have a laugh and move on.
Hurles
Roar Rookie
Agree Joe. Im all for a bit of banter and mind games but that is just childish name calling. In thought that sort of rubbish was reserved for children and the media. Why would Hansen bother?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Hansen is just plain disrespectful. End of story. Ultimately id like to see cheik step down but thats poor form from hansen in my view. Mind games aside.