It seems Cheika has allowed Jones to bully him – Hansen

ALL BLACKS coach Steve Hansen has welcomed a changing of the guard in rugby’s world order after “bully” Eddie Jones masterminded England’s series victory over Australia.

After going 2-0 up against the Wallabies, Jones immediately signalled his intent to complete a tour whitewash and challenge New Zealand for their number one spot in the rankings.

Jones has verbally jabbed Australia coach and former Randwick teammate Michael Cheika throughout the historic series, leaving Hansen, surprised by the one-sided nature of the battle.

“Eddie’s pretty happy – or so he keeps telling us,” said Hansen. “It’s been an interesting battle watching Jones and Cheika. He’s allowed Jones to have a free rein to the point where it seems he has actually allowed Eddie to bully him in the media. Cheika has not come back at Eddie.

“I don’t know if that is down to a pecking order from the old days because they know each other so well. That has gone on to the park, hasn’t it? England have certainly improved and the Aussies are no mugs.”

New Zealand defeated their Antipodean neighbours in last year’s World Cup final and the rivalry is as bitter as ever between the two rugby powerhouses.

Now Hansen’s side hope to finish their own series “Blackwash” against Wales in Dunedin on Saturday, before the British and Irish Lions return to New Zealand next year.

Warren Gatland is favourite to lead the tour after the England chiefs ruled out Jones from the running, denying the hosts a mouthwatering duel with Hansen. “I think Warren Gatland will want it,” said Lions tour manager John Spencer.

“It would be foolish to think he’s not in the running. New Zealand are top of the tree in terms of coaching at the moment. The Lions would like the coach to stand down for a year to look at players and Wales are quite happy with that.

“All the countries understand that we will need staff from those countries to have a sabbatical. They understand that and it’s not a problem.”

Hansen is plotting to repeat the All Blacks’ 3-0 series win over the Lions in 2005 and, based on recent results, he is likely to face an England- dominated side after Jones claimed he wants 15 of his players on the tour.

“There’s a different attitude with the England team,” said Hansen. “They were obviously incredibly hurt by what happened in the World Cup and Eddie Jones has drawn on that pretty strongly and he is getting a response.

“If there is a changing in the guard then that’s great. The more teams we have that are competitive, the better it is for the game and the people who are playing it and involved in it.

“The northern hemisphere teams came out of that tournament frustrated, particularly England and Ireland. This is the chance for both of them to make a statement and Wales have really contributed to this series too.

“I don’t know who will be coaching the Lions, but no matter who it is the team is going to be pretty good.” – Daily Mail