All Blacks: Rokocoko faces the axe

Joe Rokocoko is dependable under the high ball but assistant coach Wayne Smith says there are tactical considerations. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Joe Rokocoko has blazed through most of his All Black career, but a selection rethink for the opening Bledisloe Cup may see the speedster miss the cut for Saturday.

To counter the Wallabies' kicking variety, the selectors have been trialling an extra fullback in their back three with Cory Jane set to take up a role on the right wing.

Jane has yet to score in his six internationals, but he has a strong kicking and defensive game while his speed and attacking clout are a cornerstone of his repertoire.

With conditions predicted to be difficult at Eden Park and the Wallabies able to call on tactical kicking from Matt Giteau or Berrick Barnes, the All Blacks are keen to bolster their counter with Jane's selection to complement the kick-return skills of Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Rokocoko has scored 44 tries in his 55 tests, third behind the tallies of Doug Howlett and Christian Cullen, but he has had a mixed last two seasons as injury bit into his efforts. The selectors tried to run their senior wing into form in the June internationals but conditions and the games did not suit him.

"We have got a hell of a lot of time for him and he was looking as quick and as agile today as he has for ages," assistant coach Wayne Smith said. "He is coming to it but there are tactical considerations, when you are playing a team like Australia, that come into play." Rokocoko was dependable under the high ball but his kicking was not as highly developed as others who could play in the back three.

It had become more and more evident in the modern game that wings needed to be like extra fullbacks and the All Blacks wanted to increase their kicking options beyond either Stephen Donald or Luke McAlister at first five-eighths.

The All Blacks remained coy about who would wear the No 10 jersey on Saturday after both players took a full part in training after overcoming injury woes. A final call was to be made last night after both players had been through another medical.

Both Donald and McAlister trained at pace and came through all the strenuous activity asked of them at yesterday's run at Eden Park, Smith said. Donald's dramatic recovery was seen as an indication of how much he wanted to be selected. There was a similar scenario last year when injured halfbacks Jimmy Cowan and Andy Ellis both recovered enough to be in the selection frame.

Donald had played a little more rugby than McAlister and that, said Smith, might affect the final decision. Both five-eighths choices were strong runners, resilient defenders and could kick their sides round the park.

It was a shame McAlister had not played for the Juniors as the selectors originally intended, Smith said. He had struggled against Italy and been disappointed with his play but he had also shown he was very resilient.

Both five-eighths had benefited from some tuition last week from fellow recovering pivot Daniel Carter.

Smith was unsure how the Wallabies would react after the prolonged fallout from Lote Tuqiri's expulsion. He remembered how the All Blacks delivered huge wins against the Wallabies and Springboks in 2003 as they continued to wrangle about World Cup bonus payments.

The natural progression was for the Wallabies to improve. They had uniform selection, key players fit all season and would have learned from their Eden Park loss last season. There was also the Deans factor and his influence was already showing through.

Smith felt the All Blacks would be a great deal more cohesive than they were against Italy. "If not we are in for a long night," he admitted.