Rokocoko left on bench for Boks clash

Joe Rokocoko cools down after a training session in the heat of Durban. Picture / Fotopress

Joe Rokocoko, the deadliest finisher in world rugby, has been overlooked as a replacement for his injured cousin for the All Blacks' start to the Tri-Nations at Cape Town on Sunday.

In the one significant selection dilemma, coach Graham Henry and his panel have opted for the defensive savvy of Mils Muliaina rather than Rokocoko's strike-rate on the left wing.

Muliaina, whose future provincial allegiance has come under scrutiny, will play his fourth All Black test on the wing. His other 25 appearances have been at fullback.

The wing vacancy sign went up soon after the All Blacks settled in Durban when Sitiveni Sivivatu bruised a calf muscle to go with his tender right shoulder.

It was assumed his place would be taken by his younger cousin, Rokocoko, but the 22-year-old will have to take the field from the bench to break a test drought going back to the 45-6 whipping of France in Paris last November.

After a sparking Super 12 campaign, Sivivatu beat Rokocoko for the left-wing berth against his native Fiji and then the Lions. The 23-year-old scored four tries on debut against Fiji and two against the Lions.

In his first test start on the wing for the All Blacks against Canada at the 2003 World Cup, Muliaina scored four tries before he also filled in against England and Argentina last year.

Muliaina was on the right wing in those internationals. The Cape Town test will be his first on the opposite flank.

The selectors have decided that his strong defence and safety under the high ball are better weapons than Rokocoko's speed to defuse the Springboks' kicking game on the expected soft Newlands turf.

On the other wing Rico Gear's pace should match that of the Springbok speedster Bryan Habana.

Rokocoko, who had a lacklustre Super 12, was dispatched to the international sevens circuit to try to recapture some of the form which had brought him 27 tries in 23 tests.

It was understood there was widespread concern about Rokocoko's lack of fitness after his season with the Blues. But after his refresher course with the sevens, Rokocoko was selected for the overseas leg of the All Blacks' Tri-Nations campaign, with provincial team-mate Doug Howlett left at home to play for Auckland in the NPC.

And when Sivivatu hobbled out of training on Monday in Durban, it looked like the door was open for Rokocoko.

In other selections, the All Blacks revived a quintet of players who missed the final acts of the Lions whitewash.

Five-eighths Daniel Carter, midfielder Aaron Mauger, fullback Leon MacDonald, flanker Richie McCaw and tighthead prop Carl Hayman have been chosen for Sunday's match.

Hayman missed the last two tests because of an infected leg, while the other four suffered injuries which eliminated them from the 38-19 win at Eden Park. Their recoveries allow Rodney So'oialo to return to No 8 and captain Tana Umaga to slide out to centre, while Greg Somerville and Luke McAlister head to the reserves.

Loose-forward Sione Lauaki has slipped out of the 22, as has centre Conrad Smith, who has been battling an illness since he left New Zealand.

Halfback Byron Kelleher and prop Tony Woodcock missed training yesterday with stomach bugs.

Springbok coach Jake White names his side today.