All Blacks: Sivivatu qualities can't be replaced

Sitiveni Sivivatu. Photo / Getty Images

Winged winger Sitiveni Sivivatu has special qualities that cannot be replaced, but All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is otherwise happy with the depth in the position.

Sivivatu, 28, has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year because of recurring dislocation in his left shoulder. He will have surgery later this month.

Smith said there was a "silver lining" in the timing.

"Siti missed the Iveco series last year and about half the Tri-Nations. We re-habbed it but he was getting frustrated and was not at his best," Smith said.

"This now is a chance for him to reach his potential again because he's been a genius for us."

What he did not say, but could have, was "reach his potential again in time for the World Cup".

The public perception of Sivivatu as a potent, yet slightly wayward, prodigy whose sparks of brilliance are counter-balanced by a lackadaisical approach, jars against how he is viewed within All Blacks management.

They view him as close to the complete player: a good reader of the game on defence and a player who scores tries and creates the space for others to score.

As for the notion he might not care as much as some, according to Smith nothing could be further from the truth.

"He's a hugely proud All Black and a huge part of our team on and off the field. Siti has qualities that are hard to replace. He has unique qualities. He creates tries from first or second receiver and he scores tries himself [27 in 43 tests]."

While we're in the business of silver linings, another would appear to be that there is a ready-made replacement for Sivivatu straight out of his extended family.

Joe Rokocoko, a cousin of Sivivatu, has regained his touch this season after a trying couple of seasons where, by Smith's admission, wingers had become rugby's equivalent of claycourt tennis players.

"They've been on the baseline, sending it back over the net, before being forced back behind the baseline again," the All Blacks defence coach said.

But the law interpretations have reduced the aerial tennis and given more scope for traditional wing play, though there is no going back completely. Smith believed the modern winger had benefited in the long-term from having to develop kicking, kick receipt and kick return skills.

"Look at Joe Rokocoko. He's dropped very few balls at the back this year. He's been superb for the Blues."

His rebirth, if you like, was evidence for Smith how committed the 26-year-old Fijian was to reviving his international career.

Aside from Rokocoko, Cory Jane, Zac Guildford, Rudi Wulf, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith had all had a taste of international rugby. Players yet to pull on the black jumper to have impressed Smith included Rene Ranger and Sean Maitland.