Dumped All Black Vaea Fifita has lashed out at his omission from the national team for the Rugby Championship, claiming mixed messages from coach Steve Hansen.
The forward utility was not among the 33 players named for the international schedule last Monday, after starring in his All Blacks debut season last year. Instead, he is now preparing for the National Provincial Championship with Wellington.
At the time, Hansen blamed Fifita's use almost exclusively as a lock by the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby season, when his primary role for New Zealand would be on the blindside flank.
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Instead, Hansen replaced him with Highlanders utility Jackson Hemopo, who also played mainly at lock for the southerners.
"He told me that, but when I saw he got interviewed and he said signed Hemopo to six, not lock, I kind of feel he's not telling me the truth," Fifita told Stuff.
"But that's life."
Fifita insists he prefers the number six jersey, but slotted into the second row to help a Hurricanes outfit short on locking options.
"They asked me and I told them I don't enjoy playing lock," he told Stuff. "I prefer six, but I know I can't play six, because [Brad Shields] is there.
"At the same time, I didn't mind, because I just wanted to play.
"I like six, because I can use my athleticism to do what I can do on the outside, rather just stay tight and do the hard work, like running into a brick wall and getting your body tired."
Wellington start their provincial campaign against Otago on Sunday.
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