World Cup champions, player of the year, try of the year, team of the year - and New Zealand still aren't happy. The decision to award Michael Cheika the coach of the year title denying a full sweep for the number 1 ranked team isn't going down well with their media.
The headline "Snubbing of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen at World Rugby awards is a disgrace" tells the full story of how they feel about it.
Do they have a case? No.
Steve Hansen had won the award for the previous three years. He brought the world's number 1 ranked team to the top of the world. Is that a big surprise? It's the bear minimum that would have been expected of Hansen. He's done a great job, of that there's no question.
But when you look at the challenge that the winner of the award - Michael Cheika - faced, it's clear why the Australian boss won.
Last year, after losing to Ireland in the November internationals - Australia were ranked fifth in the world. He took over a team embroiled in turmoil after a sexism scandal.
What he has turned Australia into has been nothing short of extraordinary. Most coaches need four years to work with a team to get them ready for a World Cup. Clive Woodward and Graham Henry needed six years. Cheika turned Australia into World Cup contenders in just one. That's nothing short of extraordinary.
New Zealand media's crying is just that - whinging over split milk. Dan Carter already won the player of the year award for his lifetime achievement ahead of the outstanding player David Pocock. They should keep accusations for the coach of the year to a minimum.
[Stuff]
See Also: World Rugby Have Made Yet Another Mistake With The Player Of The Year Award
Picture credit: SPORTSFILE
