Henry backs Rokocoko selection
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has defended the selection of under-fire winger Joe Rokocoko in his squad for the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa next weekend.
Rokocoko was picked as one of just two specialist wingers alongside Cory Jane in the 28-man squad which will meet in Auckland on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s match at Eden Park.
Rising stars Hosea Gear and Zac Guildford were overlooked in favour of the 27-year-old Rokocoko, despite both players catching the eye in recent weeks.
Gear impressed most notably when he ran in a hat-trick of tries for New Zealand Maori as they beat England in Napier less than a fortnight ago while Guildford wore the number 11 jersey in the All Blacks’ most recent win over Wales.
Rokocoko played in the All Blacks’ thumping wins over Ireland and Wales to start the season and Henry said the 62-cap veteran’s experience had been key in his selection over his younger rivals.
“Joe played very well in the first two Test matches, and I thought he added a lot to what we were doing,” Henry said.
“He’s an experienced campaigner and the back three played exceptionally well in those first two Tests.
“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.
“Our counter-attack was the best it’s ever been those first two tests and Joe Roks was part of it.”
Despite Gear’s try-scoring heroics against England, Henry suggested the 26-year-old did not yet have the all-round game to demand a Test berth.
“There is more to it than a guy getting the ball with a bit of space and running quick and putting it in the corner,” he added.
“There are a lot of plusses about that, but at Test-match level you don’t get those opportunities very often.”
Saturday’s opening game against the Springboks will be the All Blacks’ first of back-to-back home Tests against the reigning Tri-Nations champions to begin the tournament.
Henry believes his side will have to hit the ground running if they are to have any chance of recovering a crown they have won in six of the past eight years.
“We obviously need to start well if we want to win the Tri-Nations, so it is all ahead of us over the next two Saturdays,” he said.
“It is stimulating to be playing the best team in the world, I think the guys are really excited about that.
“It’s good to start at home rather than playing at altitude in South Africa so that is helpful.
“We know it is a big task and we are looking forward to that task.”
