Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. Photo / www.photosport.co.nz
Michael Cheika won't be taking up New Zealand coach Steve Hansen's offer for a beer any time soon - but not because the Wallabies' boss is holding a grudge.
Cheika had surgery on Tuesday to repair a long-standing shoulder injury, meaning he would spend most of Australia's European tour with his arm in a sling.
"I'm off the alcohol since the operation," Cheika laughed.
"I'm ruled out of all drinking contests."
Cheika, a former NSW representative, is renowned for injecting himself into Wallaby training sessions to personally sample their physicality and set-piece effectiveness.
But he'd have to get used to life on the sidelines following his operation, which became a necessity after a recent collision with one of his players, who he didn't name.
"When I rang my missus afterwards and told her what happened, the first thing she said was 'is the player alright'?"' he said.
Pressed further on whether he would be willing to break bread with the All Blacks, in the wake of his fiery media conference after their Bledisloe Cup defeat last weekend, Cheika made it clear he'd drawn a line under the 'Clowngate' controversy and was ready to move on.
"The New Zealand series has been well and truly concluded and we got well and truly beaten," he said.
"The only thing regarding that is for me to get my team playing better for the next time that opportunity comes."
Hansen had extended an olive branch in an attempt to resolve the "frosty" rugby relations between New Zealand and Australia, following Cheika's accusations that the All Blacks did not respect the Wallabies.
"Maybe we need to sit down and have a beer together and sort it out," Hansen said on Sunday.
Gatland felt overwhelmed by negativity, especially from ex-players.