Time runs out for winger's record bid

Joe Rokocoko knows his game well enough not to expect sympathy, though a benevolent gesture from Graham Henry would be gratefully accepted as his All Blacks career reaches possibly the point of no return.
Rokocoko was overlooked for the 2009 end of year tour to the United Kingdom, France and Italy - the first time he missed selection for a Northern Hemisphere expedition since his stunning introduction to test rugby in 2003.
And 12 months on, the 27-year-old is in danger of becoming a forgotten man of the Henry's third Grand Slam campaign - and one of the few established players not to celebrate a significant milestone on a five-test tour that started in Hong Kong a month ago.
Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina became the most capped All Blacks players in history against Ireland last weekend when they made their 93rd appearances; Brad Thorn and Andrew Hore are set to play their 50th tests at the Millennium Stadium, while Daniel Carter requires just two successful goal kicks - or a try - to overtake Jonny Wilkinson as test rugby's most prolific source of points.
It had been long anticipated Rokocoko would be the leading All Blacks try-scorer by now, but the renowned finisher's touch has deserted him to such an extent he has been excluded from the starting line-up since the Grand Slam-opening international at Twickenham, a test he finished early due to a knee injury.
Though fit, Rokocoko was not required against Ireland or Scotland, so unless he is included against Wales on Sunday (NZT), there is a possibility he will not eclipse Doug Howlett's mark of 49 tries.
Rokocoko is currently becalmed on 46, equal with Christian Cullen, but with time - and tests - possibly running out.
Those unprecedented 17 touchdowns in his debut season seven years ago were realistically never going to be matched, but Rokocoko's trademark swan dive over the line has become a rarity. Since a hat-trick against Romania at the 2007 World Cup, he has scored just three more tries in 21 tests.
Although far from pensionable age, the 68-test veteran has a sense of his own mortality and suggested as far back as Hong Kong that this could be his last November up north - in a black jersey.
He is contracted with the New Zealand Rugby Union through to the end of the World Cup, though making the 30-man squad may no longer be a formality.
Hosea Gear, this tour party's other specialist wing, has emerged as one of the big improvers since his start against England; Cory Jane is practically a fixture on the right flank, while another converted fullback Israel Dagg will be back from injury next season, ditto Sitiveni Sivivatu and Zac Guildford will also be desperate to make up lost ground in the Super 15.
Quizzed on his future, Rokocoko admitted the Wales test could be his last in Europe - providing he is named tomorrow.
"The frustrating part is you shouldn't get to the point where you think 'I should have proven myself'," he said.NZPA