Cheika stands by outburst against New Zealand

AUSTRALIAN coach Michael Cheika continued his rant against the All Blacks yesterday, saying he would not back down from his outburst after the New Zealanders’ record-setting victory.

And if a perceived lack of respect by the All Blacks was not bad enough for the aggrieved coach, he faced more negative news with second-rower Dean Mumm cited for foul play during Saturday’s test in Auckland.

Cheika was fuming after the All Blacks won 37-10 and refused to congratulate them on posting a world-record 18th consecutive victory.

Instead, he launched into a wide-ranging tirade that took aim at the All Blacks, a newspaper cartoon, the referee and the bugging device found in the New Zealand team room before a test in Sydney earlier this year.

He even complained about not being invited into the New Zealand dressing room for a beer.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen rejected all accusations and advised Cheika to “stop whining”, but the Australian coach was not backing down.

“They asked me to make a comment and I said I didn’t think they’d care.”

He also continued to link the All Blacks to the New Zealand Herald’s pre-game cartoon depicting him as a clown.

“That’s their go-to paper, the whole bug thing came out from there,” he said.

“That’s serious stuff to be accusing people of and it’s not true. That’s their go-to.

“Nothing happens without that connection so that’s my point of view. They don’t have to agree with it.”

Meanwhile, Cheika had to address the issue of Mumm being cited for an alleged incident “that met the red card threshold for foul play”, according to a New Zealand Rugby statement.

“A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee,” the statement said.

The incident was in the 53rd minute, but it did not identify who was supposedly hit.