Rugby: Flanker just joshing around

By WYNNE GRAY

Josh Kronfeld's laugh cracks round the small room. He is euphoric, he is enjoying his rugby and he is not holding back.

"Look, I'm happy man, look I'm smiling, give me a break," he pleads with mock shock.

Some of the disenchantment he felt about All Black rugby last season has eroded. That part of his rugby life is history and even thoughts about retirement have softened.

"I have not made any decisions, which is pretty bizarre for me because I am usually relatively organised. But I am in no hurry," the All Black flanker said yesterday.

"I may go back to school yet. I am going to play it by ear and make some decisions closer to the time.

"I think that is the easier way because if I am worrying about my future at the moment I will not be playing good rugby for the All Blacks."

Kronfeld steps on to Eden Park tomorrow for his 50th test against Scotland and is reminiscing about an international career which started the same day in 1995 as Andrew Mehrtens and Glenn Osborne, when the trio competed against Canada at Eden Park.

On debut, Kronfeld had some doubts about whether he deserved to play in the jersey Michael Jones usually wore. Every test since, when he has received his test jersey, Kronfeld has looked at it and thought about its significance.

"You open the jersey up, look at the number and you don't even know you are doing it. And you look at the little thing on the side which says the test and the year and that, probably, is the more magical part for me."

Like every All Black, the 29-year-old never wants to miss an international and another of the prized jerseys but believes the rotation selection policy employed by Wayne Smith will get the best out of the All Blacks.

"I was quietly shocked, you know, listening to some stuff. I don't understand about cheapening the jersey if you are winning well and if the selectors are exploring combinations for the future.

"They go on about the tradition of the All Black jersey but there is also the professional side of things," said Kronfeld.

"The coaches have to have results, they have to look for their future and if their players aren't getting top-class games, so when someone falls over or goes by the way you haven't got a guy to step in there and take over."

Since the All Black squad was picked, Kronfeld has been rooming with his openside competitor, Scott Roberston.

The pair did not know each other much before this year but like the rest of the group are forging new bonds.

There is a new buzz through the group. It was a nice change from the deflating end to the World Cup campaign.

"I know myself and the team dearly want to have a high performance this year and we have talked about restoring some pride and stuff like that. It is playing All Black rugby the way it should be played," said Kronfeld.

"Enjoyment has been my whole reason for playing the code and if I am not enjoying it, I won't play it. I have got a lot of other things I can get along with and have fun at. I mean what's the reason for living if you are not enjoying what you have got - whether it is a lot or nothing?"