Rugby: Wing man Joe takes flight

Joe Rokocoko played his final game for Auckland yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland 25 Bay of Plenty 16

A late surge, one almost reminiscent of the good old days, saw Auckland retain some hope of squeezing into the ITM Cup final.

A five-minute blast in the final quarter pushed Auckland into an assailable lead. They'd spent an inordinately long period trying to break the Steamers around the fringes which appeared entirely futile until Steven Luatua crashed over on 65 minutes from short range after taking the direct route.

From loose turnover ball a few minutes later they were able to set George Moala free. He would have scored a spectacular solo try had he not been brought down five metres short by a desperate ankle tap. Dave Thomas was able to collect the loose ball, dot down and that was it - Auckland had taken a giant leap up the congested table.

It also ensured they would fulfil their second goal of the day - to see Joe Rokocoko off with a win in his last game at Eden Park before heading to Bayonne.

Seeing Rokocoko, his head bandaged and his impact limited, brought a sad reminder of the same man in his pomp eight years ago.

His year was 2003. Barely 20, he was the fastest thing on two legs and had that fearless confidence of youth. Big Joe could do anything back then - score a hat-trick in 12 minutes, get outside any defence and lighten any occasion with what became his trademark swan dive, head tilted for the cameras.

But professional rugby isn't kind to the explosive athlete loaded with fast-twitch muscle. All those dings blunt the edges. That terrifying pace he had in his prime just hasn't been there in the last 12 months and without his gas, Rokocoko hasn't been able to shine.

Modern rugby isn't his bag as it was back in those heady days of counterattacking and laissez faire refereeing. He was able to play his natural game in the early part of his career - not think about much, just run.

But the transition from pass-and-catch to kick-and-chase and the subsequent demand for wings effectively having to evolve into fullbacks left Rokocoko stranded.

Those who made the visit to Eden Park were hoping to see one last glimpse of a player who was once the hottest wing in world rugby. They didn't get much. There was one memorable blast midway through the second half that should have led to a try if Moala had come off his wing on the cut.

That was one of precious few moments, though, as the ball never really came Rokocoko's way and he missed the last 10 minutes of the first half to have a head wound cleaned up.

Ideally, there would have been a more fitting end, but Rokocoko had done enough to earn the grand farewell simply by being out there. Many of his peers who are also France-bound haven't shown the same desire to see out their time in New Zealand.

"I wasn't too emotional because emotions can affect you," said Rokocoko. "I just wanted to finish on a high with a good game. We had a bit of a rarking up last week about not fully respecting the history of the Auckland jersey.

"So it was really important for me to go out there and play well, and lead. I had been doing a lot of talking but I needed to show the way with my actions."

Auckland 25 (H. Parkes, S. Luatua, D. Thomas tries; G. Anscombe 2 cons, 2 pens) Bay of Plenty 16 (L. Braid try; C. Noakes con, 3 pens). Halftime: 10-13.