Rugby: Rokocoko waits with one foot out door

Joe Rokocoko is weighing up options to live and play in Europe and Japan. Photo / Greg Bowker

Fact: Joe Rokocoko is the most capped All Black wing.

Fact: He has scored 46 tries in his 68 tests.

Fact: He made his debut in 2003 and is only 27.

Fact: His place at a third World Cup is uncertain.

In another season the big fella will nudge his way past the 100-game mark for the Blues but there is no guarantee he will stick around for that honour.

He is off contract this year and he and his family are looking at options for him to live and play in Europe and Japan.

"New Zealand has not come through; there has been no talk so we have to look at things," Rokocoko said. "But I'm pretty laidback about making a decision at the moment. I'm comfortable, I am not pressuring myself, I am in a good space.

"I will probably go somewhere, though. I'll be looking to balance some good money with a good lifestyle, too. It's a matter of finding your comfort zone."

Before that happens there is a certain tournament on home soil in which Rokocoko would like to be involved.

He has been to two World Cups where he starred with 11 tries in his combined eight matches in Australia in 2003, France and the United Kingdom in 2007.

But in 21 tests since, that scoring rate has slowed to a trickle with Rokocoko crossing the stripe just four times.

Some of that can be attributed to teams marking him tighter, a lack of flow and his loss of snap and fizz.

But he got back into the national frame last year after fixing a few errant parts of his game such as his security under the high ball.

Some of the sting and power came back into his game and he earned an All Black reprieve.

But doubts persisted about his impact and Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava and Cory Jane shared the last three test matches on the end-of-year tour.

But this World Cup year all bets are off - the vacancies are there.

Toeava's injury defection may open a chance; Jane is still recuperating from a hamstring strain and has had a modest start to the Super 15 while Sitiveni Sivivatu was not seen last season in an All Black jersey and has been rarely sighted this year for the Chiefs.

He is down to play in Hamilton tomorrow but was also expected to front on the side's tour to South Africa.

Rokocoko has plenty of other competition, like his duel with Gear and the Hurricanes tonight.

Then there is the versatile danger from Richard Kahui, Rene Ranger, Israel Dagg and Ben Smith, or the specialist pace of a resurgent Zac Guildford and Sean Maitland.

Rokocoko has played every one of the Blues' 10 games this year with one start on his old left flank and the rest on the right, where he will be tonight at the Cake Tin.

"I am just running hard, that has been my main focus, not second guessing things.

"Things are starting to fit together now; I just need the completion of everything else. I'm pretty neutral which wing I play on, there is not much difference.

"On the right I like to have a go a bit more on the outside. When I play left I tend to cut back in more. These days, though, with the game wings can be all over the park."

From setpiece, Rokocoko felt teammates were more comfortable passing to the left flank - for most it was more natural.

His concentration tonight will be on all areas, he says, but especially on his defensive duties against Gear who has plenty of power and acceleration.

"He's quite massive ... he's got that little last-minute step to the outside which makes people reach for the tackle.

"Jonah used to do that, bring you in then push away and work from his fend."

The Blues and Hurricanes have shown mixed form this season and the Canes revealed their threat last week when they downed the Australian franchise leaders the Reds.

This season Rokocoko has adopted a "get-fit-and-enjoy" mantra. He said at the start he was a little too concentrated and intense but had since let his rugby flow.

"C. J. [Jane] has been thinking that as well, instead of getting out there and relaxing. It's when things which normally happen don't, and then you get a little anxious and start to worry more."

Coach Pat Lam had been keeping the Blues on their toes, Rokocoko said, demanding that certain standards be maintained or improved or else. That helped as everyone was doing their work and were not relying on others to help with their duties. It did not matter whether you were an All Black or not - the demands were equal.

"Pat's had three years in this job now and I think he has learned that as he has gone along, he has put a bit more heat on us.

"It's working well for us. We have a winning team but we are also working hard at not being complacent about anything.

"We always have to work on improvements."