All Blacks: Rokocoko warned he has to find form

The selectors have kept faith in Joe Rokocoko despite his recent form slump. Photo / Getty Images

Joe Rokocoko has taken over the mantle of Special Project.

The description was once bestowed on the rising talents of centre Isaia Toeava but the experienced wing appears to have inherited the title as the All Black selectors look to run him into some form against Italy on Saturday in Christchurch.

Rokocoko scored seven tries in the Super 14 but his form waned later in the series and, while conditions have been difficult in the All Blacks' opening two tests against France, that lack of bite has continued. Yesterday All Black coach Graham Henry even went so far as to warn that he had been chosen on trust and his record but the 26-year-old's time in the All Blacks was running out if he did not find form.

The other wing Corey Jane has been rested to allow Lelia Masaga his test debut in a side carrying seven changes from the one which last beat France.

Another on debut on his home patch is loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett while Owen Franks, Aled de Malmanche and George Whitelock should also get their first test run from the bench.

John Afoa, Ali Williams, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister and Toeava are other changes to the starting side with centre Conrad Smith (hamstring) prop Neemia Tialata (neck) and Stephen Donald (hamstring) injured, Jimmy Cowan dropping out and Tony Woodcock, Isaac Ross and Jane picked on the bench.

Rokocoko has been an All Black since 2003 and scored 43 tries in his 54 internationals but has not crossed the stripe in his last seven tests.

"He would not be pleased with his form," said Henry.

"He is a proven international in the past, and we are hoping that he will find the magic button and start producing it. So it is another opportunity for Joe to get back to his old self and to gain a bit of form and he can't do that by not playing.

"He was a superstar, he had a couple of injuries and hasn't come back to it yet and we are just hoping he finds the ss [super-stardom] again."

Rokocoko is fortunate that fellow wings Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rudi Wulf are injured and the selectors are reluctant to start the Tri-Nations without at least one experienced wing.

He gets his chance to run into form against Italy as does McAlister, whose accelerated trip to the No 10 jersey has been fortuitous. It owes everything to the injuries to Smith and Richard Kahui, then the hamstring problem for Donald who has been filling in for Daniel Carter while he recovers from Achilles tendon surgery.

Henry thought McAlister was ready for a test start after a Barbarians match against the Wallabies then 25 minutes off the pine in two tests against France.

"He might be puffing a bit after 60 or 70 but he has got to play at this level and this is his only opportunity now," the coach said.

Donald's injury allowed McAlister to start but the selectors would probably have picked him to start anyway.

Leonard had been out of test rugby for some time (since the World Cup) because of a knee injury. He was regaining that form when he damaged a hamstring this year so the selectors had given him time to recuperate.

The panel felt it was preferable to start both Leonard and Williams, rather than bring them on from the bench, in their return to the top level after some time out with injury.

The loose forwards needed another game together while the selectors opted for a five forwards/two backs split on the bench featuring two props because Tialata was injured and the only prop who really covered both sides of the scrum. Liam Messam was the unfortunate one to miss the bench because they needed openside cover from Whitelock.

All Blacks
Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Brendon Leonard, Kieran Read, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Isaac Ross, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.