ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA

Wallabies versus the media

Saturday, Oita Bank Dome, 6.15pm

IF the sour atmosphere at yesterday’s media conference is any guide, the Wallabies will be steaming going into their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against England.

A stock-standard media event degenerated into sarcastic exchanges between three Wallabies and journalists, possibly reflecting how the stakes had risen for the players.

Forwards Tolu Latu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto were unhappy with a line of questioning about coach Michael Cheika — and let reporters know about it in eyebrow-raising fashion.

When asked why the players were laughing after one inquiry, Latu said the question was a “complete joke”.

After a sterile start to the 10minute media conference, which also featured lock Adam Coleman, the mood nosedived when the players were quizzed by English journalists on Cheika’s personality traits.

After mirth at the top table, one reporter asked: “Is it awkward when you get asked about your coach? You’re all giggling as if you didn’t want to answer, or you thought it was a stupid question — not quite sure which one?” Hooker Latu shot back: “Stupid question. To ask it, I don’t know, it’s different for you guys and different for us. For us, it comes across as a stupid question so that’s why we’re all laughing.

“Obviously, you’re asking us a question that we think is a complete joke so, if you’re going to ask us questions like that, we’ll take it as a joke and throw it back at you.”