MPs laughed in Parliament as House Speaker Trevor Mallard told the Leader of the Opposition he reminds him of outspoken former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Mallard made the revelation during question time in Parliament on Wednesday after becoming visibly frustrated with National leader Simon Bridges for interjecting.
"I beg your pardon!" Mallard shouted after Bridges interrupted him. "I'm frankly getting sick of the interjections and the facial expressions from the Leader of the Opposition."
The Speaker took a moment before looking at Bridges and saying: "He actually reminds me of Michael Cheika - and it's just inappropriate for Parliament."
The comment was met with laughter from MPs in the House.
Mallard didn't elaborate on why Bridges reminds him of Michael Cheika, and he wasn't available for comment Wednesday afternoon. But Cheika is known for being outspoken, particularly against referees.
Cheika said earlier this year he would quit as Wallabies coach if his team didn't succeed at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and he stayed true to his word after Australia's loss to England.
He's been replaced by former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, a New Zealander.
Cheika infamously blasted referees during the Rugby World Cup this year after his side's dramatic loss to Wales, saying he felt "embarrassed" about what's happening to rugby.
Bridges later told Newshub the Speaker "reminds me of many, many things, but I respect his office and so will refrain from further comment".
The pair have a long history of taunting each other in Parliament. Last week Bridges was kicked out of the House after accusing Mallard of having better hearing in his right ear.
Earlier this year, Bridges was told to apologise twice in the House after testing Mallard's patience, and late last year the Speaker labelled Bridges a "smart-arse".
It's also not the first time Bridges has been made fun of in the House.
Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters made fun of Bridges' pronunciation of 'China' in February, telling him: "I'll tell you about China, but not 'Choina'."
