Rory Best says Joe Schmidt is the best coach he's ever worked under.
The former Ireland captain expressed his belief earlier this month that "too much detail" from the coaching team had been a factor in their poor showing at the Rugby World Cup.
Best is unhappy with how his comments were reported in the media.
"What really frustrated me was the actual headlines," said Best when clarifying his comments on Eir Sport last night.
"When you read what was written in the article, it was more what my feelings were. People want answers about the World Cup.
"You're talking in hindsight and I thought as a player group, and me being the captain of that group, that we could have done more and taken more responsibility - that was my point.
"People put headlines on that were not reflective. Anyone who knows me and my feelings towards Joe and how tight we've been over the last four years, certainly as captain, would know that he's the best coach I've ever worked with - I think he's one of the best coaches in the world.
"I just felt a wee bit let down that it looked like I threw him under the bus. That was never my intention.
"At the time, we did everything that we felt was right. I was just looking back and trying to reflect with a bit of hindsight. I was just a bit annoyed that was the way it was portrayed. People have forgotten what Joe has done."
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