All Blacks: Rokocoko rebuilding himself for the modern game

Joe Rokocoko says power is much more important than bulk and he's far stronger than he was on debut. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Try suggesting to Joe Rokocoko that he is a more potent force on the left wing and he is straight back with the answer.

The game had altered so much in the last few years with the rule changes and improved defensive patterns that it was more about whether you played on the open or blind wing.

He did not think left or right was an issue, it was where he was needed in some team plays.

"Last week they always tried to put me on the open wing but we did not get enough ball to go wide," he said of the loss in Hamilton.

"I played a lot on right wing for the Blues because Rupeni [Caucaunibuca] was on the left wing but now it is just a starting phase and in general phase play you are all over the show."

In his first 20 tests he crossed the stripe 25 times.

Tomorrow he claims his 60th cap in Wellington and has added only another 19 tries.

That data, Rokocoko says, shows the improvement in defences, the changing style of the game rather than his lack of clout on either wing. His form had not been his best but he was also much more closely marked than he had been in his early test years.

When he first pulled on the All Black jersey in 2003 at the Cake Tin, rugby was far more structured. These days he has roving commission because the ball does not go wide as much.

Rokocoko is about 103kg and reckons he has only put on three kilos since his debut.

"I am lean as," he laughs.

"Strength-wise I am much better. To tell you the truth if I was still the size I was then, I would be like a rag doll, I would not be making yards if I went into contact so it is more about power than size. That is what we go to the gym for, to concentrate on increasing our power, not our bulk.

"We get all the skinfolds and things done and I am as lean as I have been."

He had been discussing ideas with backs coach Wayne Smith this week, looking at ways to get into space more because there always seemed to be several players marking him.

"I would love to get the ball with a couple of skip passes but that rarely happens in this game.

"I am working hard and at the end of the day I compare myself to the other wings and I look at the work they have done and I am pretty pleased the way I am going. I would just like to get across the line a bit more."

Rokocoko was relieved to make the side for the last domestic test. Everyone in the squad held their breath before the selection and now they were all determined to give this game everything.

"I am just trying to relax in the buildup, then I have a fortnight break then some national championship games then hopefully the tour at the end of the year.

"It has been an interesting week so I am just hoping we can top it off."

Rokocoko said he was doing plenty of work defending the high ball and had been annoyed in Hamilton when he was knocked away from one attempted catch which led to the Boks' opening try.

"It is a very difficult area when you are chasing and whether you get picked up for interfering with the catcher. There are hands all over the show so maybe I should be like Siti and put the knee up and people coming would put on the handbrake."