Prolific tryscorer Joe Rokocoko has delivered some dazzling performances at Eden Park, where he makes his final home appearance today for Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Auckland v Bay of Plenty
Eden Park, 2.35pm today
North Harbour v Northland
Albany, 5.35pm today
It will be au revoir Joe Rokocoko at Eden Park today.
The 68-test former All Black wing plays his final game on the ground in blue and white before departing for a new lease of rugby life at French club Bayonne at the end of the ITM Cup.
The 28-year-old made his test debut against England in 2003, the same year he first appeared for the Blues, but his first Auckland appearance was not until the following year. Today he plays his 37th game for the province, for which he has scored 16 tries.
At his best, he has been a thrilling entertainer, and prolific tryscorer. But with the loss of some zip in his running has come the end of his international career. An overseas adventure beckons.
"He's had some great times in his rugby career at Eden Park and I'm sure he has some very fond memories of the ground," Auckland coach Mark Anscombe said yesterday.
"We certainly want to make tomorrow another one and send him off on a high note."
Auckland would have preferred that Rokocoko be in a side jousting for the premiership final, but the 30-28 loss to Tasman in Nelson on Tuesday dealt a massive blow to that ambition.
Auckland could have been top of the table as they run out against Bay of Plenty today; instead they are fifth. Bonus point wins over BOP and Waikato in their final game next weekend might do it, depending on developments elsewhere.
Auckland also need to be peeking over their shoulders too. They are just two points ahead of bottom-placed Southland. The team finishing last are automatically relegated next year.
"Anything can happen," Anscombe said. "Teams are upsetting others and we're still there in the faint hope [of making the final] but we've also got to make sure we win another game to make sure we don't end up getting relegated so there's still a lot to play for.
"If you look at the table, teams that are sitting second now with two or three rounds to go could be the teams getting relegated so you can't count yourself out."
Anscombe has made 10 changes for today, the most interesting being the return of Dave Thomas at fullback. He suffered a bad knee injury early last season and returns after a handful of club games.
Alby Mathewson and Gareth Anscombe pair up again behind the scrum; Liaki Moli gets his first start at lock; the loose forward trio is juggled and there are a couple of other changes in the backline.
BOP have lost their last three games, to Northland, Taranaki and Hawkes Bay, yet are still sitting third, just two points behind leaders Waikato.
They got some credit in the bank with four wins to start their campaign, but need to arrest their wobbles.
At stake today is the John Drake Boot, contested by the provinces in memory of the former All Black prop.
Northland must win at North Harbour this afternoon to retain a slim chance of making the championship final. In reality too many things have to go wrong elsewhere for them to make it but while there's life there's hope for the Taniwha.
Harbour, with one win from eight games, have had a miserable time of it and even the enjoyment factor from their nine-try thriller against Counties Manukau counted for little as they came second, and missed getting a second bonus point by a solitary point.
Big tighthead prop Ben Afeaki returns from a knee strain, while loosehead Alex Woonton makes his starting debut. Promising lock Irwin Finau misses out owing to a slight leg strain.
Elsewhere there is some juggling of positions, but Harbour's is a lost cause for this season, especially after the gut-wrenching post-hooter Ranfurly Shield loss to a controversial Southland try last weekend.
In today's other games, Canterbury host Taranaki in a key premiership game in Christchurch, while Waikato aim to hang on to top spot in that division in their crossover clash with impressive Manawatu in Palmerston North.
Tasman host Otago and leaders Hawkes Bay play Counties Manukau in Napier tomorrow in a pair of championship matches.
AUCKLAND v BAY OF PLENTY
Auckland
Dave Thomas
Joe Rokocoko
Hadleigh Parkes
Winston Stanley
George Moala
Gareth Anscombe
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Sean Polwart
Nathan Hughes
Chris Lowrey
Liaki Moli
Charlie Faumuina
Tom McCartney (c)
Pauliasi Manu
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Angus Ta'avao, Steven Luatua, Sam Henwood, Toby Morland, Piers Francis, Brent Ward, Tevita Mailau
Bay of Plenty
Toby Arnold
Lelia Masaga
Phil Burleigh
Steve Kefu
Jason Hona
Chris Noakes
Jamie Nutbrown
Colin Bourke (c)
Luke Braid
Tanerau Latimer
Culum Retallick
Leon Power
Bronson Murray
John Pareanga
Tristan Moran
Reserves: Dan Perrin, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Luke Andrews, Sam Cane, Josh Hall, Nick McCashin, Ben Smith, Josh Hohneck.
NORTH HARBOUR v NORTHLAND
North Harbour
Willie Walker
Nafi Tuitavake
Rudi Wulf
Brendon Watt
David Raikuna
Ben Botica
Chris Smylie (c)
Mat Luamanu
Scott Uren
Solomon King
Filo Paulo
James King
Ben Afeaki
Michael Mayhew
Alex Woonton
Reserves: Manu Leiataua, Taione Vea, Michael Farmer, Sam Hayes-Stevenson, Michael Farmer, Luke Hamilton, Pita Ahki, Codey Rei, James Afoa
Northland
Lachie Munro
Simon Munro
Jared Payne
Derek Carpenter
Bryce Heem
Aaron Bancroft
Rhyan Caine
Cam Eyre
Danny Mason
Joel McKenty
Mark Burman
Bryce Williams
Scott Vessey
Ross Wright
Matt Wallis
Reserves: Tim Dow, Justin Davies, Dan Faleafa, Cam Goodhue, Wayne Ngaluafe, Ash Moeke, Jack McPhee, Jamie Corsi.