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His talents have been hidden for some time, certainly at the very top level, but Joe Rokocoko is hitting the reignition switch this week in Scotland.
It has been six years since he made his All Black debut but there have been moments when his form has wavered or injury has struck to stilt his test career which began against England in 2003.
The 25-year-old wing was bypassed for Hong Kong but is set to play this weekend at Murrayfield. His most recent international was the 20-18 defeat to France in the World Cup quarter-final.
Rokocoko will make his international comeback this weekend while referee Wayne Barnes is also scheduled to rule on the All Blacks for the first time since that contentious World Cup game in Cardiff.
In another quirk of scheduling, a delayed connecting flight meant the All Blacks had to layover at Heathrow Airport yesterday and booked into the hotel where Doug Howlett inflicted his trampolining skills on a car as the afterguard of All Blacks commiserated after last year's World Cup exit.
Meanwhile, Rokocoko, who has racked up 43 tries in his 48 internationals, will return to test rugby in the side which will be revealed today. It was unclear which flank he would patrol as he has been used on either wing for the All Blacks.
In Rokocoko's absence this season, selectors have used Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf and Richard Kahui on the wings and in the 11 tests so far they have accrued four tries with Sivivatu's against the Wallabies in Hong Kong his only touchdown in his last eight internationals.
Asked about that drought, backline coach Wayne Smith claimed he was not too deterred as he felt defences were probably concentrating on the wings which would leave gaps in the defences in other parts of the field.
The All Blacks will reveal their side to play Scotland later today, with a huge rearrangement expected. It would not surprise if an entirely different XV started this match because the selectors see Scotland as the weakest of the Home Unions and are mindful they have to try others in the 35-strong squad while protecting some of their senior players for the last three tests.
