By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Dunedin, Nov 22 NZPA - Team manager Dave Currie has downplayed a verbal altercation with an abusive Jesse Ryder that culminated in the injured batting star being fined by New Zealand Cricket for another discipline breach.

Currie has spoken for the first time regarding the incident, which occurred during New Zealand's Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka in South Africa in September.

Ryder first took out his frustrations on a chair as he crossed the boundary rope in Johannesburg after smashing 74 from 58 balls despite batting in pain with a groin injury.

Currie initially sought to congratulate Ryder as he left the arena but after witnessing the chair being hit he attempted to caution the 25-year-old.

Once inside the dressing room, Ryder -- whose injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament and cost him a lucrative payday in the inaugural Indian Premier League's Champions League -- lashed out and had to be calmed by teammates.

Ryder's reaction to his dismissal mirrored a similar episode at Napier in March when he clunked his bat on the apron of the pavilion exiting after scoring a double ton against India.

Currie defended the talented 25 year old after that outburst, and was in a conciliatory mood today, saying an unspecified fine was appropriate and their working relationship was fine.

He initially laughed when the matter was raised as the team trained ahead of Tuesday's first test against Pakistan at University Oval.

"What do I say? Firstly I'd agree it wasn't a hanging offence. Clearly he was a bit grumpy and we felt we had to take some action around that," he said.

"We have, it's been dealt with, and we're looking forward to having him back.

"You wouldn't hope to have that behaviour but you accept cricket's emotional," Currie said.

"The other side of the coin is you don't want bland, unemotional blah .... and not be pissed off about getting out either."

Ryder had acknowledged his actions were unacceptable, Currie said.

"We went through a process, we're fine. This stuff happens in teams all the time, emotions can get ahead of yourself.

"I like him, he's a character and teams need characters."

Ryder, undoubtedly one of the side's finest strokemakers, has had a chequered history since his one-day international debut against England in the summer of 2007-08.

At the end of that series he punched a window in a Christchurch bar, requiring surgery, before abusing hospital staff.

Last summer he was stood down from the final ODI against the West Indies after missing a team meeting while concerns persist over fitness and weight issues.

However, his value is without question. The left hander averages 49.88 from 11 tests -- hours after a hearing on the South African indiscretion was held on October 22, he was named the first class batsman of the year at the annual NZC awards.

Ideally Ryder will be fit to resume playing domestically in mid-December with a view to returning to international duty when Bangladesh visit in February.