A skirmish over player etiquette has broken out between the Wallabies and All Blacks, adding spice to the second Bledisloe Cup Test.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen was miffed most of the Wallabies players walked from the field soon after last weekend's Test in Sydney.
A handful of Australia's players remained to watch a presentation to All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock, who had completed his 100th Test.
Hansen says that there is a lot energy, a lot of mental fortitude, a lot of time, and a lot of sacrifices by the players' family to get to that point adding that it is worthy of respecting it.
Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika was unimpressed by the jab, insisting he and his players were unaware any presentation was to take place.
He had never seen both teams remain on the field to mark a player milestone previously.
Previous All Blacks centurions have been honoured with a stage presentation, with microphones wired to the stadium speakers.
Whitelock's was a low‑key affair in front of a television camera.
Attention now swings to how the Wallabies will approach a post‑match presentation for New Zealand prop Owen Franks, who raises his ton in tomorrow's second Test at Eden Park.
The All Blacks will host the Wallabies at 7.35pm tomorrow at Eden Park while South Africa take on Argentina at 7.10am Sunday.
[Source:TVNZ]
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