Michael Cheika and Stirling Morlock have rubbished Steve Hansen’s suggestion that the Wallabies are favourites heading into the first Bledisloe Cup Test.

Earlier in the week, the All Blacks coach stated that the Wallabies are ‘worthy of starting as favourites’ in next Saturday’s Test because the All Blacks lost the last time the two sides met.

When quizzed about his counterpart’s statement, Cheika said the claims were laughable and that the All Blacks players probably don’t believe it.

‘I was a little bit surprised. Hansen’s a fine coach, he’s obviously a great rugby mind, he’s leading the team that’s the best in the world,’ said Cheika. ‘But I think he may have had that one wrong because I don’t think many of his players would believe it to be honest.

‘I don’t think it’s very realistic. It’s pretty irrelevant at the end of the day.’

Meanwhile, former Wallabies great Mortlock has also laughed off Hansen’s statement.

‘I think it’s pretty laughable that Steve could put it out there and claim that they’re underdogs. New Zealand’s dominance has been outstanding. Not just against Australia but on a global stage,’ said Mortlock.