Rokocoko back on track after treble

Joe Rokocoko

SYDNEY - Joe Rokocoko finally felt at peace again on a rugby paddock at Brisbane's Ballymore last night.

The Auckland wing, who endured a difficult Super 12 season with the Blues, helped temper the disappointment of being overlooked -- at this stage -- for the British and Irish Lions series with a hat-trick as the Junior All Blacks romped to a 48-10 victory over Queensland.

Rokocoko, scorer of 27 tries in 23 tests, resembled the searing finisher of yesteryear as he emphatically reminded the All Blacks brains' trust he was far from a spent force at 22-years of age.

He was not about to personally plead for a recall, given his cousin Sitiveni Sivivatu has effectively taken his spot for Saturday's clash at Jade Stadium, but he was pleased with his performance.

"It was a bit sloppy first up for the boys but it was good running rugby in the end.

"It was good to get back and get opportunities to start running again. It was a bonus."

Rokocoko said he and the remainder of a squad replete with 17 other former All Blacks were trying to distance themselves from the hype across the Tasman.

"The boys find it hard and they're disappointed at not getting picked in the AB's but in the last couple of says we've got close to each other and forgotten about what's going on back at home."

For Rokocoko the forerunner to two matches against Australia A was arguable his most satisfying outing of the year.

"I was confident in myself before the game. I blocked everything out, just concentrated on my own expectations.

"I forgot about all the pressure and it paid off in the end," he said.

Rokocoko rocked the Reds by snaring two tries in the opening 11 minutes.

He set up another and looked dangerous throughout before completing his treble in the dying minutes.

Rokocoko started with a no-look inside pass in the first minute.

Barely two minutes later he had touched down under the posts after the Reds turned over 80-metre away allowing the ball to be swung wide to centre Ben Atiga.

Atiga, who is in doubt for the Australia A clash in Canberra with a shoulder injury, astutely dropped the ball on his toe for Rokocoko to chase and then nudge ahead to score.

It was merely the support act to the main show which was to come eight minutes later when Rokocoko pulled off a stunning in-and-away on Drew Mitchell that left the Reds winger dumbfounded.

He then streaked clear, chipped over fullback Julian Huxley and regathered for a stunning try.

Understandably Junior All Blacks coach Ian Foster was happy with Rokocoko's performance.

"He had a strong night, he was beating men," said Foster, who employed Rokocoko in a relatively unfamiliar role on the right flank.

"He looked classy with ball in hand and he worked hard of it.

"He's got some pretty high goals and we all know he's a class player. He love to see him running with the ball and we saw it (last night).

Overall Foster was happy with the performance.

"We took nearly all the opportunities that were offered to us."

The team to play Australia A will be named on Friday.

The Junior All Blacks who scored 48 points were Joe Rokocoko 3, Scott Hamilton, Stephen Donald, Steven Bates, Corey Flynn, Casey Laulala -- tries; David Hill 4 conversions.

For Queensland which scored 10 points, were Elton Flatley, Steve Kefu -- tries.

- NZPA