Crossword Genius

In the confusion wise communications are required (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

messages

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'communications are required' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'in the confusion wise' is the wordplay.
'in the' is an insertion indicator.
'confusion' becomes 'mess' (mess can mean confusion or chaos).
'wise' becomes 'sage' (similar in meaning).
'mess' going around 'sage' is 'MESSAGES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for messages that I've seen before include "Communications, written, spoken or signaled" , "Brief communications" , "Communications, written, spoken or signalled" , "Shopping up north" , "teachings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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