Rugby: Emotional bon voyage for veteran Rokocoko

Joe Rokocoko. Photo / Getty Images

Joe Rokocoko ended his Super rugby career with a facial cut but there were other eye-watering moments for the France-bound All Blacks wing at Suncorp Stadium last night.

Discomfort was replaced by anguish for the 68-test veteran as he reflected on his last game for the Blues.

A 30-13 semifinal loss to the Queensland Reds was hardly the ideal send-off for the 28-year-old before he embarks on two seasons in Bayonne.

"It's kicking in slowly," said Rokocoko, who made his Super rugby debut in 2003, the year the Blues last reigned supreme.

Before the wake began in the visitors' dressing room he said: "I've enjoyed every single moment in this environment. It's pretty emotional too.

"I've grown up alongside a lot of these guys. I've been playing with some of them since under 14s and under 15s."

Rokocoko said he was reluctant to peel off the Blues strip for the last time.

"I was the last one to take my uniform off, it wasn't easy knowing it's the last time I'll be playing alongside these guys." The semifinal was his 95th appearance. Blues head coach Pat Lam paid tribute to the wing who took international rugby by storm in 2003.

"There's a lot of respect for what Joe's achieved," Lam said. "He came in to the Blues in 2003 and won a title.

"He's been immense in the team, particularly in the last few years as a senior player."

- NZPA