Cheika stands by Kiwi rant

sydney — Australia coach Michael Cheika continued his rant against the All Blacks Sunday, 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 wideranging 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 after the game.

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 about their achievement and I said I didn’t think they’d care about my comment which I think is the truth,” he said when the team returned to Sydney. “I think that’s the honest thing to say.”

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, which you know we had policemen in our offices asking our management questions about it.

“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.” —