SYDNEY (AP) Having lost the mind games against England counterpart Eddie Jones during a mid-year test series, Australia coach Michael Cheika has landed an early blow against New Zealand rival Steve Hansen ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship test in Sydney.
Australia-born Jones was considered to have won the psychological contest against Cheika when England completed an historic 3-0 sweep of the Wallabies in Australia in June.
Jones steered the media agenda throughout the series, keeping pressure on the Wallabies and needling the often volatile Cheika. Hansen observed after the series that Cheika had allowed himself to be ''bullied'' by Jones.
Learning from that experience, Cheika got on the front foot early in the lead-up to Saturday's test by telling reporters the All Blacks believe they can't be beaten.
He also said that Hansen faced some ''interesting'' selection dilemmas for the game, prompting Hansen to counter and say that Cheia had selection problems of his own to contend with.
Cheika heavily spun that response, interpreting that Hansen believed the All Blacks' 13-year run of Bledisloe Cup wins over Australia would continue.
''When they say we've got our own problems, that's what they are referring to; the fact that we can't beat them,'' Cheika said.
''They think we are no chance to do anything and they are validated. We haven't beaten them for ages in the series, so it's understandable that they would think that. We're just going to have to work on how we're going to do that.''
Cheika was also attempting to motivate his players by portraying Hansen's comment as a slight.
''I know not many people are expecting us, as he isn't, to do much but we'll prepare our best this week and see how we go,'' he said.
''You need mental fortitude and there's no better place to test mental fortitude than against New Zealand.''
