That's that, then. Whereas Cheika appears intent on mind games, and some of the Australia media intent on grubby tabloid tricks in targeting skipper Richie McCaw, Hansen has gone the other way; a charm offensive rather than just plain offensive.
And so it was that Hansen praised the way Cheika has turned the Wallabies around since taking over from Ewen McKenzie's disastrous reign near the end of last year. What seemed to be an ill-disciplined rabble has been turned into a close unit travelling in the same direction - the Wallabies making a big point of signing off their social media posts with a "stronger as one" message.
When asked about the different paths the teams have taken to get to the final, Hansen, in charge of a team who have lost only three times since the last World Cup, said: "How we got here probably is irrelevant. The fact is we got here, and the same applies to Australia.
"Yeah, they've had a few bumps and adversity, but what I think Australia have done in the last 12 months, they've really had a look at themselves and made some really good changes.
"They have got real clarity in how they want to play the game. Michael Cheika and his crew can take a bow - they've done a great job.
"It's great for rugby. We need as many strong nations playing this game as possible, and Australia are one of the teams we'd expect to be strong all the time.
"They seem to have got their house in order, and are playing accordingly."
While prop Wyatt Crockett was initially named on the reserves bench before aggravating his groin injury this morning, Hansen has been able to name a settled team for Sunday's match.
Loosehead prop Joe Moody retains his place in the starting team, with Ben Franks named as cover on the bench.
Earlier in the the tournament, Hansen was asked about the so-called Pool of Death, from which Australia have emerged, and he replied that if any team from that group - also including tier one nations England and Wales - as well as Fiji - won the tournament they would be worthy world champions such was their hard road to the final.
Today, however, he said simply that Australia's path to the final would count for little. What was important was that they were in it.
"They will have a massive hunger to get the job done, they've got a massive amount of talent," he said.
"You are in the final, you are where you want to be. They will bring plenty to the park, and we will have to bring plenty to match it."
All Blacks:
15. Ben Smith, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Daniel Carter, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Brodie Retallick, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Dane Coles, 1. Joe Moody. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Wallabies
15. Israel Folau, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Will Genia; 8. David Pocock, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Rob Simmons, 4. Kane Douglas, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Stephen Moore (c), 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
- By Patrick McKendry in London
