Joe Rokocoko thrilled to be a part of history

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Joe Rokocoko felt so awkward during the haka he couldn't look his former team-mates in the eyes.

But the Barbarians wing was more than comfortable with beating his countrymen 25-18 after stepping into the history books with his new-found mates.

"It's half and half, 50-50," Rokocoko said when asked if it felt better winning as an All Black or beating them. "I'm just really proud to be part of history. I just took it as a game that I wanted to win like every other player does."

After 60 tests in the black jersey, the 26-year-old clearly appreciated the significance of what the Barbarians had achieved.

"I can understand what the guys are going through. I think we caught them off guard. You know, seven weeks away from home can take a toll," he said. "We've just had an awesome week. We socialised really well and got to know each other and all we wanted to do was bring a bit of attitude in tonight."

Rokocoko said the team had been spurred by a visit the night before the match by Welshman Derek Quinnell, who played in the Barbarians' famous win against the All Blacks in 1973.

"We got played a few [clips] of the history of the Barbarians' rugby and one of them was back in 1973," Rokocoko said. "I'm glad I'm part of the history of Barbarians rugby as one of the ones to have beaten the All Blacks and I can talk to my kids about that as well.

"Going into the changing rooms [after the match] everyone was just saying to each other we're part of history. Now they don't have to just play the 1973 match, they can play the 2009 game as well."

Rokocoko, who played eight tests for the All Blacks this year before being dropped, said facing the Tamati Ellison-led haka had been a particularly strange experience.

"I didn't actually stare face to face with the boys. I just kind of veered off and looked to the side and then off to the other side. It was just intense. It's something I've never experienced before"

The ball didn't go Rokocoko's way too often, but he matched opposite Zac Guildford for pace several times and had an error-free night.

But Rokocoko wasn't interested in discussing whether he had impressed the All Blacks coaches, instead focusing on what was one of the most enjoyable weeks of his career.

"I haven't played for six weeks. The only training I've done is the odd run and a game of touch in Fiji," he said. "The first 10 minutes I was struggling and the body's feeling it now, but I'm just happy to go home and know I finished off with a win.

"My main aim wasn't to try to do too much and run from everywhere and put my hand up. The main thing about Barbarians rugby is to enjoy yourself and you kind of lose that part when you get involved in professional rugby.

"You start to lose that enjoyment. This week was more a part of it and I'm going to take that into the pre-season and start to enjoy it."

- © Fairfax NZ News