All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he has plenty of respect for his Wallabies rival Michael Cheika and labelling him as “Mickey Mouse” earlier this year was in jest.
The opposing coaches have traded spicy barbs over the years and ahead of the Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth on Saturday Hansen was put on the spot about his comment.
Hansen made headlines in February when he mocked Cheika at a charity event in Wellington.
Ex-Wallabies star Mark Ella had said: “Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks to victory” and Hansen responded by saying: “They’ve got Mickey Mouse coaching Aussie.”
With the sides squaring off for the first time since, Cheika bristled when asked about it the comment.
“Oh mate, is that even a question?,”Cheika said.
“No drama for me.
“There is certain things in footy that you … respect is an important thing in footy.”
Hansen later attempted to explain his comment, saying there was no malice.
“I never said he was Mickey Mouse,” Hansen said.
“So you can make a big thing out of it if you want, or you can take it for what it was – something in jest.
“I have got plenty of respect for what Michael has done, end of story.”
Despite the barbs Cheika said there was mutual respect between the two countries demonstrated by Australia’s willingness to commemorate the passing of All Blacks great Brian Lochore.
“When New Zealand sent me an email about it the first thing I did without hesitation was saying yes,” he said.
“He’s an icon of the game and at an occasion like this should be commemorated with a moment’s silence before a match.”
All Blacks players will wear specially created jerseys that will carry Lochore’s All Blacks number on their sleeves.
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Hi Jeff, I think the Cockrell is the Springbok hooker Charlie Cockrell
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Ex, If you put Gerard Viviers name into Youtube that bit about Nomis and Lachore is the first that comes up. There was no TV in South Africa in those days, but even as an English speaking ""soutie"" I loved to listen to Gerard bringing a game alive on SABC radio, rather than the more measured tones of Chick Henderson in English.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Well Gloria. This New Zealand would like to be the first to congratulate you and your Wallabies on a fine performance in Perth. Hopefully a shot in the arm for Rugby over there. Fabulous stuff. Enjoy...
Gloria
Roar Rookie
All Blacks disgracing themselves so far with foul play and cheap shots.
Ex force fan
Guest
Thanks was before my time...
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He’s right , anything to do with Cheika is a joke.
ScreamingYellowWallabies
Guest
I would have thought Crunchie the Clown more appropriate.
PeterK
Roar Guru
everyone lies at some point To take 1 instance, which this is, and extrapolate it to as typically, I think you need a pattern to illustrate that
Gloria
Roar Rookie
He has denied he said Cheika was Mickey Mouse. If Cheika is the Wallaby coach and Hansen says we have Mickey Mouse as the coach of the Eallabies he is saying Cheika is Mickey Mouse. Then denies he said it, he is a liar in my opinion.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
NZ is a great nation with many great people. I am referring to an attitude. ‘NZ bashing’. Not a day goes by that we don’t read or hear a negative comparison by a NZ’er towards Australia. The latest, our ‘nasty politics’ is being adopted by a politician in NZ. ‘Nasty Australians’ was the term used in your parliament.
Jeff
Guest
For Cockrell read Wayne Cottrell
P2R2
Roar Rookie
"...Ex-Wallabies star Mark Ella had said: “Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks to victory” and Hansen responded by saying: “They’ve got Mickey Mouse coaching Aussie....” Did he sayd CHEIKA is MICKEY MOUSE??? he said Mickey Mouse coaching Aussie... Jealousy will get you no where...twerp
Vman2
Roar Rookie
And the biggest clown of them all is their CEO.
rebel
Roar Guru
Reading in too much again. Oh and didn't call him anything. 100%
soapit
Roar Guru
Well he 99% likely called him Mickey mouse and no one is outraged. Outrage isn't a prerequisite for a discussion. Not sure where that leaves things for you.
rebel
Roar Guru
So he didn't call Cheika Mickey Mouse and also said it was a joke. I still feel compelled to be outraged.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Just to clarify (from my limited understanding). Ella wasn't there. He was asked what he thought of the recent comments that Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks. To which he replied well they've already got him coaching Aussie. Or words to that effect.
soapit
Roar Guru
Ok maybe benefit of the doubt for the technicality 1% chance he was talking about someone else. We only have one coach tho is the thing, maybe he meant collectively. I actually think it’s a good response and fairly appropriate banter at a private function with Ella ribbing him. But saying he doesn’t call him Mickey mouse just isn’t true is it. He could have said I didn’t MEAN to call him Mickey mouse, Plus I think it cruises the line when the guy is someone you actually share a job description with, and not just a joke about someone you’ll never meet like it would be of we said it
soapit
Roar Guru
I don't think much of him no. I also don't spend much time thinking about it, just comment when these articles come up
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Soap - sounds like you’re dirty on Shag (a dig).