Rokocoko philosophical over lack of chances

Flying Blues winger Joe Rokocoko is remaining philosophical about the lack of opportunities to show off his lethal finishing in rugby's Super 14.

Rokocoko has yet to cross the tryline in three rounds of the new competition and will look to break his duck against the unbeaten Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow night.

So far this season, the ball has seldom come the way of the All Blacks speedster, who averages a try a game in his 30 tests and has collected 15 tries in 30 Super 12 appearances.

He was particularly starved of opportunities against the Queensland Reds last weekend, when the Blues opted to keep things tight as they ground out a 21-20 win.

Rokocoko admitted it was frustrating not to see more of the possession come his way, but said it was all about fitting into the team's game plan.

"In the end, you're not playing for yourself, you're playing for the rest of the guys," he said.

"If you're not getting the ball, it might be working out for the other people on the inside. You just have to roll up your sleeves and help out the team."

Rokocoko's fortunes haven't been aided by a Blues backline that had yet to show fluency on attack.

With midfield backs Luke McAlister and Ben Atiga still out with injury, coach David Nucifora has made only one illness-forced switch, with John Senio coming in at halfback for Steve Devine.

Rokocoko was confident the lack of changes would mean an improvement in understanding between the backs at Lancaster Park.

"We've had more sessions together and we're getting more used to each other now," he said.

"We don't use that as an excuse, but it's always handy to have the same guys there every week."

After losses in the opening two rounds, victory over the Reds had given the Blues a boost in confidence that what was being done on the training paddock was paying off, Rokocoko said.

While the Crusaders had again shown themselves to be one of the teams to beat, he said the performance of the Sharks in Timaru last Saturday, when they were pipped 22-20, offered encouragement.

"We always expect something big from the Crusaders but in saying that, when you go out to play them you expect to win," he said.

"There was a good example from the Sharks. They didn't go down there to make up the numbers. They were looking to win. We'll have the same attitude as well."

Whether that attitude included a repeat of the back-to-basics approach against the Reds, or a game plan where the ball was shifted wider, Rokocoko said circumstance would play a part.

"It's going to be a mix," he said.

"It depends on what they do. In any game, you have to see what's in front of you and seize the opportunities you get."

- NZPA