All Blacks happy to take a back seat
STEVE Hansen gave little away upon arriving in Sydney yesterday on the bugging controversy and old foe Michael Cheika, suggesting the All Blacks will let the Wallabies do the talking in Bledisloe Cup promotion this week.
This time last year Hansen arrived at Sydney airport lobbing verbal grenades at Cheika and accurately revealing secret selections the Wallabies would make, but the All Blacks coach slipped more quietly into the city ahead of Saturday night’s Test at ANZ Stadium.
Hansen has already heard Cheika’s comments about the bug-gate case which remains before the courts and could conclude on Friday.
Cheika confronted Hansen last year accusing the All Blacks of “crossing the line” after insinuating he had bugged them.
The All Blacks are clearly not worried about security breaches this year, checking into the same hotel.
Hansen is unsure what to expect from Cheika this week.
“We’ll see how it goes, we’ve got to help sell tickets don’t we?” Hansen said.
“The Wallabies are a talented bunch and I know they’ve got problems at the moment with infighting about the Force (Super Rugby axing), but that’s not our concern.’’