Flying Joe sets cracking pace

All Black wing Joe Rokocoko at Gladstone Primary School. Photo / Kenny Rodger

All Black Joe Rokocoko shrugged off a heavily strapped right wrist to share some of his rugby skills with an excited throng at Mt Albert's Gladstone School yesterday.

The star winger appeared at the school with All Blacks coach Graham Henry to celebrate tickets going on sale to the general public for the approaching three tests against England and Ireland. The pair also briefed the school's young rugby players on the game's finer points and organised a mock match.

The tour games are likely to be played in front of packed stadiums, judging by the healthy first day of sales. More than 22,000 tickets for the June 14 Eden Park test against England had already been snapped up last night - almost half the stadium's capacity.

The first of the tests will be played on June 7 in Wellington against the Irish. That will be followed by the June 14 test at Eden Park and a second clash against the English in Christchurch on June 21.