Kiwi Ferns centre Jules Newman appears to have lit the fuse for an explosive women's Test on Friday night after labeling the Jillaroos "cocky" in the aftermath to last week's World 9s final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Kiwi Ferns bounced back from an earlier loss to claim the silverware, with Newman delivering the barb labeled "surprising" by Jillaroos skipper Ali Brigginshaw.
Talk of the jibe dominated Wednesday's coach and captain's call, with Kiwi Ferns coach Justin Morgan downplaying the furore.
"I wasn't there for the interview so I don't know what context the comments were made," Morgan said.
"If I'm a betting man, I'd say it was taken a little bit out of context. If it was taken in terms of having a go it wasn't meant that way. We all know players get interviewed, sometimes say things in the heat of the moment.
"I know Jules thought afterwards that was the last kind of message she wanted to deliver. This group that wear the black and white jersey have nothing but respect and time for the Jillaroos."