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DENIAL: Cheika explodes at journalist over Folau hair pulling issue

By Ian Cameron
Michael Cheika goes into full denial mode

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika blew up at a journalist who pointed out that Israel Folau pulled the hair of Dillyn Leyds in his side's match with the Springboks.

Both South Africa and Australia couldn't be separated as they drew 27-27 in Bloemfontein, their second tie of the 2017 Rugby Championship, which ultimately handed New Zealand the title.

However a hair pulling incident with Folau drew a lot of the post-match attention.

Cheika asserts that in fact it Folau just tackled Leyds by the collar, and when challenged by a journalist on the matter, he got pretty animated.

Dillyn Leyds responded to Cheika's assertion that Folau didn't pull anyone's hair.

CREDIT: Brendan Nel

As the 'vision' shows, Folau did indeed pull the hair of Leyds.