All Blacks: Smith plays down Tialata outburst

All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata vented his frustrations on Facebook. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is unconcerned about a province versus country row that seemingly won't go away in Wellington.

Revelations yesterday that All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata had strongly criticised the Wellington Rugby Union, his Hurricanes franchise and their coaches were played down by Smith.

Tialata reportedly vented his feelings in a recent entry on social networking site Facebook, unhappy at his lack of game time for Wellington in the Air NZ Cup.

"The whole union/franchise is a joke!!" Tialata wrote on August 30, according to The Dominion Post.

"Lions coaches and Canes coaches don't even talk but are both based in the same building, how do they expect us players to win something."

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph didn't select Tialata nor his All Blacks teammates Cory Jane and Piri Weepu when they became available early in the Air NZ Cup, preferring to maintain a consistent selection policy.

Joseph earned a mild ticking off from All Blacks coach Henry for his policy but Tialata was considerably more outspoken in a Facebook entry which he thought would only be read by friends.

"Can't believe I just wasted most of my life and sacrificed a lot for this union and jersey to be treated like a schoolkid ... that's the only thing I'm gutted about ... I can take being dropped and being on the bench but when a coach suggests to you to think about playing overseas while my knees are still good or reinvent my game and be that bench player or 20 minute man then said to take a month off ... I was like ... can't believe your saying this in my head."

Smith brushed aside the 36-test veteran's comments as "an historical thing".

"When you've got players and coaches talking about something they all love to do, it becomes quite emotional," Smith said.

"Sometimes that's all that is and you can sort out issues pretty quickly.

"I see that as simply that, an emotional issue between players and coaches who all care about the same thing. If you can get back on that page, it can come right pretty quickly."

Tialata told the newspaper he regretted his comments being made public and that differences with the Wellington union had been resolved.

"I suppose I was naive to think they would stay private on Facebook. I apologise for any offence that I have caused," Tialata said.

"The thing is that they represented some of my frustration, disappointment and even irritation I guess at not being able to play for the Wellington Lions.

"The comments I made on Facebook are in the past and don't represent how I feel now. In fact, I'm much happier now with my relationship with Wellington rugby and Jamie Joseph."

Tialata has played twice for Wellington since his posting and appears in line for an All Blacks recall for Saturday's test against Australia judging by an extended run at tighthead prop during yesterday's training session in Porirua.

- NZPA