All Blacks: Rokocoko learns the art of relaxation

Joe Rokocoko says his faith and family were his inspiration. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Relaxation has helped the redemption of Joe Rokocoko.

After a lull, the All Blacks senior wing is back in the squad jousting for a start against Ireland in the side's first test in New Plymouth.

He has to make it past either roommate Zac Guildford or Cory Jane to be back in black next Saturday but he is in a good frame of mind about his chances.

The usual broad smile was back again yesterday rather than the bewildered looks which accompanied too much of his work last season. That was a struggle and after some selection leeway, Rokocoko was cut adrift for the end of year tour.

He returned to score nine tries in this year's Super 14 where he played with more elan and surety after several seasons where he battled to deal consistently with the kickfest which plagued the rugby scene.

The law changes and Rokocoko's renewed work appetite gave him a new impetus.

"The whole thing is self-belief," the 60-test veteran said yesterday. "I am here going into matches thinking I can be way better than the guy I am looking across the field at.

"I've learned a lot, learned to relax more. I learned that from Dougie [Howlett] in the latter stages of his career when he said he got too stressed out, too hard on himself and he did not get to enjoy his time."

Captain Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock are the only members of the current squad who started test rugby earlier than Rokocoko.

They all looked as though they would outlast the wing too when his form sagged last season. Now he hopes to be around on a new contract for next year's World Cup.

"I gave myself a chance later on in the Super 14," he said.

He never thought about jacking it all in.

Rokocoko claimed his family and his faith kept inspiring him on what had been an emotional journey.

He was too nervous to sit still during the team announcement last Sunday but when his name was read out, it had been better than his debut callup in 2003.

Another man back in black is halfback Piri Weepu. He is also off contract at the end of the season but expects to be playing rugby next year in New Zealand and chasing a World Cup place.

"All those offers offshore, they are quite big, but you always have to chase the dream and the dream is to try to make the World Cup squad. You don't really want to let that chance slip," he said.

Weepu, who has played 35 tests in a chequered run since his 2004 debut, has been put on a recent regime to increase his fitness. He would not elaborate on why his form has wavered but said the reasons were personal.

* Rene Ranger and Ben Smith have both joined the squad, as cover for the injured Richard Kahui and Mils Muliaina, before they play for the NZ Barbarians against the NZ Maori at Whangarei next Saturday.