Wallabies coach Michael Cheika certainly didn't mince his words when asked about England coach Eddie Jones bringing Australian rugby league legend Ricky Stuart into the England camp, behind enemy lines.
The Australia boss said: "It’d be like – I’m friends with Gareth Southgate, I don’t know if I’d be wanting him in here the week that we’re playing England.
“It must be weird for the players having an Aussie because Ricky is a legend."
Now, England have hit back.
Forwards coach Steve Borthwick was asked about the Australians on the England staff, and whether Eddie Jones relishes games against Australia more.
The coach replied: "Eddie relishes every game because he is very competitive by nature, and that is every week.
"Any time you are involved in an England test match it doesn't matter who you are playing, it is a privilege to be involved with this group of players.
"The Australians on our staff have earned their places because they are very good at their jobs and we work together to support the players."
Elsewhere, England star Courtney Lawes responded to questions whether the side were undercooked by answering: "Come and watch training".
The Northampton Saint was speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, with the question coming after England's scheduled final pool game against France was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.
On the question of England being underdone having not played for two weeks, Lawes replied: "Come and watch training.
"We go through plenty of rugby with our clubs and then have to come together for a test match and plenty of times we come away with a win not having played international rugby."
On the players holding back in training, he said: "It is pretty difficult because we are all excited for the game and you just have to have control and get the best out of yourself in training but make sure you don’t put yourself or other people in harm's way.
"When the session starts we talk about what level it is going to be at and then it is about you not going over that. We know we are a good team and if we put it all out there then not many teams can beat us.”
England face Australia on Saturday at 8.15am UK time.
