Rokocoko latest to be flattened by bug

By WYNNE GRAY in Christchurch

Left-wing Joe Rokocoko is the latest gastric flu victim in the All Black camp.

"We are terrified at the prospect of this bug, but at least we seem to be over the worst of it," team doctor Graham Paterson said yesterday.

"We have a policy now that everyone must wash their hands at all times before they eat, after they eat, before they get on the bus ... and we are trying to keep people separated at the hotel in the way the rooms are set up."


The Springboks made two changes to their starting XV, with lock Gerrie Britz out with a broken nose and replaced by Albert van den Berg.

Top halfback Fourie du Preez was reinstated.

With leading lineout jumper Victor Matfield sent home because of injury, Springbok coach Jake White selected specialist lock van den Berg rather than switch the versatile AJ Venter to the tight five.

"There are not that many No 5 lineout jumpers and Albert has beaten the All Blacks twice in his 25 tests. He adds value to the team without changing the dynamics of the pack," White said.

Soon after the Springboks named their side, the All Blacks held a long session at Jade Stadium where they worked on skills and monitored those coming through the effects of the illness.

"It has taken the edge off a number of our players, but the good thing is that the bug seems to clear relatively quickly," Paterson said.

"The latest victim is Joe Rokocoko and he has chosen to stay home in his bed. We have only had one new development in the last 24 hours and that's Joe, so we hope we have got to the end of it."

The concern was the prolonged spread of the illness. Paterson believed the cause was a bug which had spread rather than any food poisoning. It seemed to be a 48-hour illness.

Daniel Carter was the first casualty. He complained of tonsil trouble on Sunday, followed by sickness and diarrhoea the following day.

Justin Marshall, Kees Meeuws, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu had all suffered various levels of the symptoms.

Players are bouncing back, but the medical staff will be increasingly concerned if new cases develop in the next 24 hours.

In naming their side, the Boks cast a long look at Tri-Nations history that showed they had not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since the 13-3 win in 1998.

Captain John Smit said they had already used that dismal record as motivation and it was time to get a "baboon" rather than a monkey off their backs.

As one of the two survivors (with Bakkies Botha) from the pack who lost the last World Cup quarter-final to the All Blacks, Smit was a lot more comfortable with his present forwards because of their extended preparation.

The Boks noted the changed dimensions of the All Black pack without Carl Hayman and Jono Gibbes.

The All Black lineout would change and their front-row with Greg Somerville was now shorter.

"What they win in the scrums they might give up in the lineouts in support play and height," White said.

The coach was certain that the resurgence of mountainous loosehead Os du Randt, the greatest loosehead in South African rugby history, would be a huge benefit.

White targeted du Randt and went to talk to him in February. Du Randt was keen to finish his career on his terms and White offered him the chance as long as his fitness improved.

The loosehead prop had shed 8kg to 124kg, was revitalised and had raised the team morale significantly, said White.

Even du Randt was surprised at his return. Asked what his reaction would have been if told he would play the All Blacks again a decade after his test debut, du Randt replied: "I would say you would have been lying".

White said his side had not been affected by the administrative turmoil at home and were ready to give this test a real blast.

The key to their unbeaten season so far had been getting the selections and combinations right.


* All Blacks vs Springboks, Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 7.35pm, Saturday.