New Zealand coach Justin Morgan has defended Kiwi Ferns centre Jules Newman, after she labelled the Australian Jillaroos "cocky" at last weekend's World Cup Nines.
Newman's comments came after New Zealand beat Australia 17-15 to win the women's Nines competition on Saturday.
She added that the Jillaroos acted as if they'd already won the game before kick-off.
Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw denied those claims, before hitting back at the Ferns, saying they refused to shake hands with her team after the full-time whistle.
The war of words has added to the tension ahead of Friday night's test between Australia and New Zealand at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Morgan was asked about Newman's comments and he felt they were taken out of context, before saying that players should be encouraged to speak their mind.
"With so many players that give vanilla answers all the time, especially in the men's game with all this media training, as soon as something doesn't come out of that vanilla textbook, everyone jumps on it," he said.
"That's the case in this scenario. It wasn't a stock-standard answer.
"There was a bit of emotion and feeling, and all of a sudden people with the microphones and cameras go that's something, and it snowballs.
"I don't think it's a big issue that everyone is making it out to be."
Newman, who recently converted from rugby union, will make her test debut for the Kiwi Ferns on Friday.
Morgan added that his players have nothing but respect for the Jillaroos.
"The one thing that I do know is that I know my players - they are humble, respectful and have a great deal of time for all the Jillaroos.
"We all know that players get interviewed and sometimes say things in the heat of the moment, spur of the moment without thinking.
"We had a chat, she was a little bit upset, because the last thing she wanted to do was be disrespectful.
"She plays the game hard. I think, at the same time, we need to acknowledge people that are passionate, and love to win and hate to lose.
"That's great, that's what you want in sport. It's a little bit of banter, I think the most important thing is there's no disrespect there.
"They go out and play hard, train hard and a little bit of banter sells newspapers, gets people interested in the game."
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