The All Blacks most experienced back is anxious to head home to Auckland where his baby son Max is soon to undergo surgery to close a hole in his heart.
Muliaina was a late arrival on the All Blacks' Grand Slam tour, having been given parental leave to be present when his wife Hayley gave birth to Max as the team were flying to Hong Kong.
The 67-cap veteran originally intended to play the offshore Bledisloe Cup test on November 1, but once Max's condition was diagnosed Muliaina was given extra time at home before joining the team for the Irish test in Dublin.
Muliaina made a seamless return to the team after Isaia Toeava deputised at fullback for the tests against the Wallabies and Scotland. Although his play against Ireland and Wales was of a typically high standard, Muliaina admitted he had been torn by not being at home.
"It wasn't until the night before the Irish test that I thought I had made the wrong decision," said Muliaina as the All Blacks prepare for their test with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
"It was always going to be really hard and my wife has been very supportive."
He has been in daily contact with his wife, who watched his performance against Ireland at Croke Park in Auckland Hospital, where Max was having a check-up.
The boy is expected to have his operation shortly after Muliaina's return to Auckland.
Muliaina, who was also a central figure in the All Blacks' last successful Grand Slam campaign in 2005, said the support of team-mates also helped him through moments of uncertainty.
"Every day the boys are asking me, 'How is he?' 'How are things at home?' 'Can we help'?" Muliaina said.
"One of the real strengths of the All Blacks is we really care about each other. The coaches have been very supportive, too."
