HEADLINES:
R/€ Joe Cool gets All Blacks rockin'
November 07, 2003 Edition -1
Mark Keohane
Cape Town: Singled out for being fastest in the All Blacks team, New Zealand coach John Mitchell also refers to Joe Rokocoko's intelligence, energy, humility and
maturity.
Rokocoko (20), the successor to Jonah Lomu in all but playing style, holds just about every international playing record this season.
"Rockin' Joe" has scored 15 tries in nine Tests in 2003, smashing Christian Cullen and Lomu's record of 12 in a calendar year.
"Joe Cool", another of his descriptions, scored five in 38 minutes - two in the last 12 minutes against Wales and three in the first 26 against France. No other All Black has scored five consecutive tries.
"Rum and Coca", the nickname given to him by South African players, also took just 30 minutes to break down the Springboks' defence, which had kept Lomu tryless in more than 1 000 minutes.
Rokocoko is a cousin of former Blues and All Blacks wing Joeli Vidiri, from whom he learnt about the fickleness of professional sport.
Vidiri was a sensation five years ago. Today his kidneys are shot and he lives with the support of a dialysis machine.
"I guess it's a lesson for everyone that you should live life to the fullest," says Rokocoko. "It's something you have to think about. Make the most of your life because you never know what's around the corner."
Vidiri is the reminder that not ever a day or occasion should be taken for granted. Rokocoko spends a lot of time with Vidiri and this gives him perspective.
Comparisons are inevitably made to Lomu. Both are of Paci-fic island heritage - Lomu's parents are Tongan and Rokocoko was born in Fiji - but Rokocoko finds comparisons odious.
"Players such as Jonah set examples for Pacific islanders. He and Michael Jones have played on a stage we are all striving to reach. As Pacific islanders, we tend to lose hope. Jonah encouraged islanders back at home to better themselves," he says.
All Blacks coach John Mitchell will also not compare Rokocoko to any previous All Blacks wing, but he knows what sets Rokocoko apart from other All Black wings.
"We thought this guy had some physical qualities that are quite outstanding," he said. "He has a wonderful personality and brings energy to the squad."
Rokocoko is also a willing student.
Having hardly touched the ball in his debut against England, he took some of the blame.
"You can't just stand out there and expect the ball to come to you. You have got to help out in the forward work and help clean out the rucks," said Rokocoko, who admits that the decision to commit to the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby was easy.
"As a kid, I always watched the Sevens and wanted to play for Fiji in Sevens. Once you get older and you start to concentrate on 15s, the All Blacks take over.
"There were some people who thought I should have played sevens for Fiji and not New Zealand, but after the Super 12 it all changed. In the end, it has worked out well and it was a thrill to get that black jersey on."
Rokocoko, resident in New Zealand since he was five, considers himself fortunate to claim a bit of both cultures. "I'm proud to be Fijian and I am proud to be a Kiwi.
I go back to Fiji often and I still speak Fijian. A lot of Fijian kids in New Zealand don't even speak their own language."
n Gregor Townsend expects the Wallabies to funnel the ball out to Stirling Mortlock to attack Scotland's midfield in tomorrow's World Cup quarterfinal at Brisbane's Lang Park, reports Sapa-AFP.
Townsend is still getting familiar with life at outside centre after he was shunted from flyhalf to make way for Chris Paterson last week against Fiji.
Scotland's most capped player admits he was all at sea early against the hard-running Fijians as he adjusted to the new demands of playing wider.
And he's expecting Mortlock and Australia's power wingers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri, to be the targets of attacks in what could be a testing day for the 30-year-old Borders back.
"It took me a while to get used to the angles and the passing last week," Townsend said yesterday. "There were a few elements that weren't quite good enough, so I felt much more comfortable in the second half and hopefully I start better in Saturday's game."
Townsend admits he was surprised coach Eddie Jones left veteran Joe Roff out of the Australian team, but says there is plenty of power in their three-quarter line.
"I'm surprised they've left Joe Roff out. He's a real talented player. Lote Tuqiri was knocking on the door and they've got very physical wingers and some ball players in there. They can pick 10-12 players in that backline and still be as strong."
Townsend is expecting to be following the ball out along the Australian line and wants his inside backs and back-row forwards to push out in the defensive line and help contain the robust Mortlock.
"Defence out there is what your inside guys can do. If we can slow their ball down and get numbers inside Chris Paterson and push out so we have more numbers than them in defence, then that will help our jobs," he said. "That's why they've Stirling Mortlock back in their side and the wingers are runners, so they'll definitely be attacking us."
Coach Ian McGeechan yesterday named Sale flank Jason White for Ross Beattie in the only change to the squad that edged Fiji 22-20.
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