All Blacks: Rokocoko hurting as big chance looms

Dumped All Black Joe Rokocoko is lining up for the Barbarians on Sunday (NZT). Photo / Getty Images

LONDON - Joe Rokocoko sat with his cousins and a kava bowl in Fiji and did it tough watching the All Blacks rumble through Europe on their rugby tour.

He saw every minute on television, except the France test last weekend as he jetted to London to link up with the Barbarians against his old team, who he played his 60th test for in September.

But now isn't time for redemption, he insists. He's just excited about the chance to play like a "real winger" in the festival match, where he'll probably mark rising star Zac Guildford.

"It's been a hard year, there's been a lot of things said about me. It's been awesome to come into this environment and kick back and enjoy your footy," he said.

Next season for the Blues in the Super 14 is Rokocoko's big few months, when he'll try to show the All Blacks selectors he can adjust his game to the kicking and high ball skills they require.

They've always maintained there's a way back for their former star winger, still just 26, with 45 test tries to his name.

"I'll badly want it next year. It's too late now with one game left so I'm not going to stress too much in this game and try to prove something."

If it doesn't happen, and Graham Henry doesn't call again, all kind of thoughts are running through Rokocoko's head. Even if some might be tongue in cheek.

"I might be playing for Fiji in the next World Cup, who knows? I might be moving into centre..."

The former may not be as strange as it sounds, although it depends on the International Rugby Board introducing the mooted rule where players from tier one countries and shift to tier two after a 12-month stand down.

It's been six weeks since Rokocoko played a serious match.

He enjoyed the break and spent much of that time back home in Fiji where he played touch in his village and watched the All Blacks from afar, with difficulty.

"I've been sitting back with the kava bowl watching in Fiji. The cousins woke me up and even though you don't make it in, I've been part of it since 2003, and you still feel a part of it."

He visited some of his All Blacks teammates at their plush Park Lane hotel yesterday and will call on others during the week.

The toughest part was watching the highlights of their 39-12 win over France after he flew to London.

After a frustrating year of kick, chase and catch for wingers, that was Rokocoko's kind of test.

"You've got to choose three fullbacks now. It is frustrating when you have to change your whole game; kicking game and all sorts to be a fullback.

"A clear example was last week, they threw the ball around and it was awesome to watch. I saw the highlights and there's games like that I miss. Hopefully there's more of those games to come."

The Barbarians trained strongly under coach Nick Mallett at Richmond today, and offered a hint of their star-studded starting lineup.

Rokocoko will play on the right wing and Springboks flyer Bryan Habana on the left, with Drew Mitchell at fullback, Springbok Jaque Fourie and Welshman Jamie Roberts in the midfield and Fourie du Preez and Matt Giteau forming a classy halves duo.

In the forwards, Wallabies George Smith and Rocky Elsom and Springbok Schalk Burger will form an imposing back row and Boks captain Victor Matfield will marshal the lineouts.

The All Blacks had today off and will train for the first time tomorrow, before naming what is expected to be a second-string lineup.

- NZPA