Rokocoko to play against All Blacks

BY DAVID LONG IN LONDON

Axed winger Josevata Rokocoko will get a chance to show the New Zealand selectors they made a mistake by dumping him when he lines up against the All Blacks.

Rokocoko has agreed to play for the Barbarians against the All Blacks at Twickenham in two weeks' time.

The 60-test All Black is sure to want to prove to Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith that they made a mistake by dumping him from the team's northern hemisphere tour and there would be no better way to do that than scoring tries against the team that snubbed him.

Hansen welcomed news of Rokocoko's inclusion, insisting he was far from a spent force.

"There's always a pathway back. He's 26 years old, Joe, and he's been a great player for New Zealand and scored a lot of tries," Hansen told NZPA.

"His game's probably not suited to the kicking game we've seen. He's got to look to add things into his game, so it doesn't matter if they're kicking the ball or running at him.

"To be fair he worked pretty hard at that during the Tri-Nations and did quite well at it, but we just saw this as an opportunity to have a look at these other guys.

"His job now is to have a big off-season and come back and play really well in the Super 14 and say 'hey, pick me'."

On the other wing will be 2007 IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana, while Matt Giteau Rocky Elsom, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and Welsh internationals Jamie Roberts and Andy Powell will also be in the Baabaas' side.

But the main attention for the match will be on Rokocoko and how he responds to his sidelining against his old team.

If he can have a great game it would put egg on the faces of the selectors, who controversially dropped one of the biggest names in the game after he had his best performance of the season in the 33-6 win over the Wallabies in Wellington, where he capped off his sensational display by scoring a try.

Some pundits have said the game has moved on from Rokocoko and his talents are no longer needed in an era where the No 1 priority for a wing seems to be catching high balls rather than bursting through defences with breathtaking pace.

But Rokocoko has history in bouncing back from being dropped.

He was axed from the team in 2005 and banished to the New Zealand Sevens squad, causing him to miss the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

When he was recalled for the Tri Nations he was in sensational form, scoring three tries in his first three tests.

Hansen admitted a big game from Rokocoko at Twickenham wouldn't be an automatic ticket back.

"It will be interesting but it's pretty hard to judge anyone on just one game. You've got to look at the overall season and for Joe it won't matter too much what he does in the Baabaas game.

"If he has a great game it'll be good for him - it may not be too good for us, he might score a few points -- but what we're really wanting to see is for him to have a great Super 14 and then he's going to put a lot of pressure on and say 'pick me'.

"Joe Rokocoko in top form is a player you want on our side. Let's hope he does that."

The fixture is looming as a tough one for the All Blacks, a number of senior players will skip the game as the squad will be reduced from its current size of 33 players.

Those players who will be released from the All Blacks will be required to take part in promotional or sponsorship activities.

The full Barbarians side has yet to be confirmed but Rokocoko may not be the only player who's worn the black jersey in the opposition ranks.

Stuff.co.nz can also reveal that Neath Swansea Ospreys’ Jerry Collins is keen to play and is in negotiations with his club coach Scott Johnson to grant him a release from his Welsh side to play at the game.

Aaron Mauger has considered playing in the game, but as his club Leicester Tigers have a Heineken Cup game the week after he thinks it's unlikely he, Scott Hamilton or Craig Newby will be allowed to play in the game, while Greg Somerville did not want to get involved, deciding he would find it too difficult to play against the All Blacks after playing for them for so long.

-with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News