Aussies’ Bledisloe snub

Fuse lit after Wallabies fail to honour Whitelock

CLAIMS of Australia disrespecting All Black Sam Whitelock has given the second Bledisloe Cup a spiteful edge ahead of tomorrow’s showdown at Eden Park.

The All Blacks believe Wallabies players and coaching staff showed a lack of decorum by waltzing back to the ANZ Stadium sheds after their 38-13 loss last Saturday, when Whitelock was being presented with a testimonial cap for playing his 100th Test. Skipper Michael Hooper, halfback Will Genia, five-eighth Bernard Foley, back-rower and Whitelock’s Crusaders teammate Pete Samu and Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne were reportedly the only members of the Wallabies camp that hung around for Whitelock’s cap presentation.

The Wallabies claim they had no knowledge it was going to happen, despite New Zealand Rugby lodging a request to conduct the presentation on the field. Australia hands out their milestone caps in the sanctity of their dressing room but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen took offence.

“It’s not for me to comment on what their policy is, you’ll get to ask them what their policy is. I know if it was us, we’d stay out and acknowledge it,” Hansen said.

“It’s a tremendous feat playing 100 Test matches, it doesn’t matter what country it is. There’s a lot of energy, mental fortitude, time, a lot of sacrifices by the player’s family, his kids, his wife, his partner, to get to that point. So it’s worthy of respecting.”

In a tricky situation, All Blacks prop Owen Franks will play his 100th Test tomorrow in Auckland and Australia must now decide whether they will remain on the field and potentially concede they were in the wrong last Saturday, or snub Franks and create more drama.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika rejected Hansen’s assertion that his team was disrespectful towards Whitelock.

“Well, I’ve never seen it before. We certainly wouldn’t be asking to do it on another team’s ground, we’d do it in the dressing room,” Cheika said.

“But if that’s what they want to do I’m sure they did it and congratulations to the player.”