MICHAEL CHEIKA HAS rubbished Steve Hansen’s claim that Australia showed a lack of respect by snubbing the presentation of Sam Whitelock’s 100th cap after New Zealand’s victory in Sydney.
Whitelock marked his landmark appearance with an outstanding display in the All Blacks’ 38-13 drubbing of the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium last weekend.
New Zealand head coach Hansen said all his players would have stayed out on the field to acknowledge such an achievement, rather than just the few Australians who went over to congratulate the lock.
Yet Cheika hit back by stating: “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.
But if that’s what they want to do, I’m sure they did it and congratulations to the player, he’s a fine player, 100 caps is a really, really great effort.
“And same to the lad who is grabbing it this week as well, always respect there.
“To say that we lack respect is a little bit of a stretch from Steve Hansen.”
Cheika named props Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio in the Australia side for the second Test, with Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu dropping to the bench.
Australia (15-1): Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Lukhan Tui, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio.
Replacements: Folau Faingaa, Tom Robertson, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Tom Banks.
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