All Blacks: Wing has chance to silence doubters

The heat is on as Rokocoko hopes to keep young talent at bay. Photo / Getty Images

He first wore the All Black jersey a week after his 20th birthday and is third in the side's try-scoring history.

It's a package which suggests repeated venom from Josevata Taliga Rokocoko, the 27-year-old who steps on to his home track tonight to duel with the Springboks in the highly anticipated start to the Tri-Nations.

Rokocoko remains a strong All Black but debate about his inclusion has risen as an inflated pack of challengers has chased his place. When talent like Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Rudi Wulf and Ben Smith is ignored, increased pressure on Rokocoko is guaranteed.

He will emerge wearing the No 11 jersey tonight in the familiar Eden Park arena but with, perhaps, extra tremors about the 80 minutes ahead and the inspection he'll receive from the Boks. The aerial bombardment they sent his way last season helped dispatch him from the test scene.

Like many others who've felt the selection blade, Rokocoko could have packed his kit and young family and earned mega dollars offshore. But he stayed, rose to the challenge, worked hard on some deficiencies in his game and convinced the selectors he should be restored to the All Blacks.

In tests against Ireland and Wales, Rokocoko convinced coach Graham Henry he had turned his game around enough to be rated a certainty for the Tri-Nations. His experience and teamwork had been invaluable.

"One of the qualities of a back-three player is you've got to be able to play with the other two. You just can't be a lone ranger, so if you can't work with the other two on counter-attack you've got problems," Henry said.

"Our counter-attack was the best it's ever been those first two tests and Joe Roks was part of it."

While the coaches felt Rokocoko's game was on the rise, they also indicated that Gear lacked all-round balance to his work and Guildford needed some improvement.

Rokocoko was used on the left and right wing for the Blues this season during the Super 14 when he scored nine tries, including six touchdowns at Eden Park. For much of the season he looked sharp, though at one stage he did strain his knee, which is still bandaged.

His form was strong, he earned his All Black recall and the selectors believe his mix of skill, experience and knowledge is the best combination for the Tri-Nations. He will be feeling the heat, but he should have been well-schooled in the last fortnight about this challenge.

Rokocoko's smile has lit up Eden Park regularly in the Super 14 and NPC as he swan-dived for another touchdown. In tests it's been a oncer, way back in 2004 against England, when he actually claimed a hat-trick.

If the wing scores his first All Black try at the venue since then, even Graham Henry might do a high-five in the coach's box.