All Blacks: Rokocoko gets final say

A smiling Joe Rokocoko scores just his second try of the season during Saturday's win over the Wallabies. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A defiant Joe Rokocoko has no problem singing the praises of two backline colleagues clambering for his regular berth on the All Blacks wing.

It was appropriate that Rokocoko had the final say with a try on the hooter in Saturday's 33-6 thrashing of Australia in Wellington, the most consistently criticised member of this year's team putting the icing on a breakout All Blacks performance.

Rokocoko climbs to within five tries of 50 in tests, a mark that would snatch the national record from long-time Auckland and All Blacks teammate Doug Howlett.

However, records were the furthest thing from his mind after the Fijian-born veteran's gradual improvement through the Tri-Nations finally resulted in the five-pointer that seemed destined to elude him.

"I'm normally humble but I'm just going to tell you I'm happy I scored," Rokocoko said.

"You work your arse off how many times to get involved and it doesn't go your way.

"To finally get it go your way is awesome."

The selectors have persisted with the 26-year-old, despite some early tribulations, but they will have some tough calls to make if a healthy backline contingent are on call during the season-ending tour of Japan and Europe - particularly first-choice winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and classy centre Conrad Smith.

Their places were superbly filled by Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava respectively on Saturday.

Toeava, who said he would be happy to play on the wing, defended stoutly, ran incisively and shedded the fumbles that have dogged him at this level.

"That's his best game he's played for this team," said Rokocoko, who witnessed a hardening of the youngster as the 80 minutes unfolded.

"After every ruck he comes up and every break he makes, he normally says sorry.

"He said sorry again all day today and we just said `stop saying sorry, you're playing well'.

"He's going to build from this. The game plan suited him - running rugby, and he just got involved so many times."

Jane scored a brilliant try when fielding an attacking bomb at full tilt, an area where Rokocoko has been mixed this season.

"He's awesome under the high ball and that energy he brings into the game," Rokocoko said of Jane.

"He's a bit of a Christian Cullen, he's light on his feet."

Rokocoko's main regret is that it took until the ninth test of the season for the All Blacks to unearth their best form, having already gifted the Tri-Nations crown to South Africa.

A week of intense scrutiny from the media and public seemed to galvanise their efforts.

"It shouldn't be like this. But it just shows that when everyone goes in and nails down the small things, the simple catch and pass, and just do their own role as All Blacks players do, teams will find it hard to be with us."

The Wallabies' woes filtered to their back three, of fullback James O'Connor and wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachlan Turner, whose combined effectiveness on defence and under the high ball evaporated as the test wore on.

Rokocoko revealed the blond trio were targeted.

"They're not as confident in going up for the ball as the Boks are," he said.

"We had a bit of feedback during the break that they weren't as confident coming forward to the ball, they weren't as aggressive."

- NZPA