It was brickbats with one hand and bouquets with the other as rival coaches Graham Henry and Eddie Jones fired off potshots then pleasantries ahead of Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup rugby Test.

New Zealand mentor Henry refused to be baited by Jones' comments that the All Blacks were effectively cheats because they used illegal defensive tactics but was clearly unimpressed by the aspersions.

"I haven't got a clue what he is talking about," Henry said.

"I don't want to comment, I don't think I should lower myself and I don't think it's part of the deal and I'd rather move on."

While quietly seething about Jones' comments, Henry was still vocal about the Wallabies whom he described as "the best team in the world at the moment".

"Just watching the games over the last few weeks I thought the Australians' performance against England was pretty special," Henry said of the Wallabies 51-15 defeat of the reigning world champion.

"It is going to be a good side that will beat them.

"It's a huge yardstick for the All Blacks and where we are at and we need this yardstick right now."

The Wallabies coach wasted no time in getting on the front foot when Australia flew into New Zealand on Thursday, accusing the All Blacks of cheating by taking out opposition defenders around the rucks to create space for half Justin Marshall.

A wry Jones suggested his words were in part to generate extra interest in the game but said New Zealand's defensive tactics were still an issue.

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