Rugby: Rokocoko's back but can he catch?

Joe Rokocoko has come back this year with extra pace but doubts remain over his ability under the high ball. Photo / Getty Images

Similar to Mark Twain's death, reports of the counter-attack wing being back in business might be greatly exaggerated.

It happens every year - the Super14 seduces people into believing test football will be wild and adventurous. That it will be won by cavaliers, not roundheads.

The reality, even under the current law interpretations, is that kick and chase football will still be effective and the No 1 priority for anyone playing in the back three is proficiency under the high ball.

All Black defence coach Wayne Smith believes the balance might have swung back a little towards the power athlete; that there is more of a need to have wings who can use the ball effectively.

However, the selection emphasis will remain on wings who can play as auxilliary fullbacks and pose a threat with ball in hand.

"I think there will be some shift in the style of game but a kick that enables a contest for the ball will remain a valid tactic," says Smith.

"Guys who can't catch are going to be targeted and they are going to be exposed. There has been a lot of hype around the return of the running wing but they have to have all-round skills."

Smith's analysis of Super14 has led him to believe that, with the offside line being better policed, kick receivers now have six to seven metres of space to work in, as opposed to the one or two they had last year.

There has also been a 15 per cent reduction in the amount of kicking, although Smith would caution against assuming tests will follow a similar pattern.

Extra space and greater confidence that the tackled ball can be safely recycled has, according to Smith, reduced the need for wings to be able to kick return. But the one thing that hasn't changed is the need to be able to catch and this will be the first and most important question asked of every All Black contender.

Which is why the razzle-dazzle of Super14 has largely to be ignored. The wings who shine there are not necessarily the right choice for test duty.

No wing is shining more brightly than Joe Rokocoko. With 60 test caps and 46 tries, he is back to his best running form.

He's a certainty - surely? But then memories of him flailing around last season against the Boks come back to mind. Big Joe is not comfortable under the high ball.

Some say he's improved this year but big doubts remain and the Boks, merciless crew that they are, will rain bombs on him should he be selected.

It will take just one mistake for the game to turn and the selectors have to get the balance right.

There are, despite Rokocoko's try-scoring form, plenty of other wings ahead of him on the key criteria.

Cory Jane is a must. He is the best player in the country under the high ball. He gets his timing right without fail, positions himself well and attacks the ball in the air, making it hard for opponents to bump him off course. He also runs with some venom.

Zac Guildford has taken advantage of playing regularly at the Crusaders. His test debut last year showed he had the temperament for the big stage. Like Jane, he's brave in the air and gets his timing right. His work rate is high and while he lacks some raw power, he compensates with his timing and points of entry.

Those two, given how they played for the All Blacks in November and how they have played this year, are the strongest candidates to make the first 26-man squad of the year. They fit the catch criteria and can counter-attack. They can also kick-chase.

Isaia Toeava will feature in that mix as a utility option who can cover wing, leaving room for one more specialist and a host of hopefuls. In this group are Rokocoko, Ben Smith, Hosea Gear and Rudi Wulf.

Wayne Smith says it's possible a horses for courses policy could be used - effectively bringing different wings into contention to play against Australia and South Africa.

The right mix to play South Africa could be Mils Muliaina at fullback with Jane and Guildford on the wings, while Rokocoko could come in for Guildford against Australia.

Or maybe Rokocoko should be left out in favour of Wulf or Smith. Wulf has physical presence, good defensive positioning and operates well aerially. He's safe and reliable, with some pace to boot. Smith hasn't had much opportunity at the Highlanders but play the modern game and is a deceptive runner.

Leaving out Rokocoko would open the selectors to criticism but they have been around long enough to know that will pass. They have also been around for long enough to know the dangers of being sucked in by Super 14.